Rabies - 100 % deadly, but 100 % preventablle!

Rabies is a virus transmitted primarily through bites from infected animals.
Once symptoms appear, rabies is nearly always fatal. There have been very few rare cases of survival, but these are exceptions.

Prevention: If a rabies vaccination is given promptly and properly after potential exposure (before symptoms appear), it is nearly 100% effective at preventing the disease.

Animal Hosts: The animal responsible for transmitting rabies varies depending on the region:

World: Bats are responsible for about 70% of rabies cases globally.

USA: Raccoons (about 20%), skunks (about 10%), foxes (about 5%), and dogs (about 1%) are the main transmitters. Bats also contribute to a significant proportion.

Virus Progression: When rabies virus enters the body, usually through a bite, it replicates at the bite site before moving into peripheral nerves. It then travels at about 1-2 cm per day to the spinal cord and brain, causing inflammation and damage, leading to symptoms such as anxiety, hallucinations, paralysis, and seizures.

Incubation Period: This is the time between exposure to the virus and onset of symptoms, typically 2-3 months, but it can range from 1 week to 1 year.

Symptoms: Once symptoms develop, they can include agitation, hallucinations, paralysis, seizures, and hydrophobia (fear of water due to throat and larynx inflammation).

Vaccination: The first vaccine dose should ideally be administered as soon as possible after exposure, with additional doses over the next 2 weeks to a month. The immunity from pre-exposure vaccination can last several years, depending on the vaccine used and individual factors.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): Recommended for anyone bitten or scratched by an animal suspected of having rabies, with a regimen of four vaccine doses given on days 0, 3, 7, and 14.

Watchful Waiting: If the biting/scratching animal is not known to be rabid and can be observed for 10 days, this approach can be used. If the animal does not develop rabies symptoms during this time, the person bitten is not at risk.

Scratch Risk: Rabies can be transmitted through scratches, but this is less common than bites. The risk depends on factors like the type of animal, the depth of the scratch, and the amount of saliva in the wound. In domestic kittens, if the animal is vaccinated, behaves normally, and has not been exposed to rabies, the scratch is unlikely to transmit the disease. Nonetheless, clean any scratches thoroughly and monitor for signs of infection.

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