Why in news?
The Supreme Court’s order on removing stray dogs from Delhi‑NCR drew attention to rabies, a preventable but deadly disease that causes thousands of deaths in India each year.
About the disease
Rabies is a zoonotic disease caused by the Rabies virus (RABV). It is classified by the World Health Organization as a neglected tropical disease. Transmission occurs when the saliva of an infected animal enters the body through bites, scratches or open wounds. Dogs account for nearly 99 % of human rabies cases.
Symptoms and progression
- Incubation period: The virus remains dormant for one to three months after exposure.
- Early symptoms: Fever, headache, malaise and pain or tingling at the bite site.
- Advanced stages: Two forms appear. In furious rabies the patient shows hyperactivity, hydrophobia (fear of water), hallucinations and excessive salivation. In paralytic rabies muscle weakness progresses to paralysis and coma. Once symptoms appear, death is almost certain.
Prevention
- Immediate washing of the wound with soap and water.
- Post‑exposure prophylaxis (PEP) involving a course of vaccine and, for unvaccinated individuals, rabies immunoglobulin (RIG).
- Pre‑exposure vaccination for people at high risk, such as veterinarians and animal handlers.
- Mass dog vaccination and responsible pet ownership to reduce the reservoir of the virus.
Awareness, timely treatment and improved animal control policies can greatly reduce rabies deaths.