• UGI USER
  • Sep 27, 2024
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Rabies Threat Persists Despite Medical Advances

Why in the news?

A recent rabies death in Kerala emphasises the ongoing global struggle against rabies, despite available vaccines, highlighting the critical need for awareness, education, and vaccination.

Rabies: A Public Health Challenge

  • Rabies remains a severe public health issue with a nearly 100% fatality rate once symptoms appear.
  • A May 2024 incident in Kerala, where a boy died from rabies, highlighted the need for immediate vaccination post-bite.
  • Despite modern medical advances, rabies continues to pose significant risks worldwide.

Pasteur’s Contribution to Rabies Treatment

  • The 19th century marked a breakthrough with the germ theory, leading Louis Pasteur to develop a rabies vaccine in the 1880s.
  • Pasteur’s vaccine involved using weakened rabies viruses to stimulate the immune system.
  • In 1885, Pasteur’s successful vaccination of a boy bitten by a rabid dog established his role in modern medicine.

Modern Solutions and Collaborative Efforts

  • India accounts for 33% of global rabies deaths, with 96% caused by dog bites.
  • Newer vaccines and immunoglobulin treatments are critical for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
  • The “One Health” approach integrates veterinary, medical, and environmental sectors to control rabies, with a goal of zero rabies deaths by 2030 through better surveillance and intersectoral coordination.

    About Rabies:

    • Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease caused by the RABV virus, affecting the central nervous system.
    • Transmission occurs mainly through bites or saliva from infected domestic dogs (99% of cases) or wild animals.
    • Over 95% of human deaths from rabies occur in Asia and Africa.

    Symptoms:

    • Initial symptoms: lethargy, fever, vomiting, anorexia.
    • Progresses to cerebral dysfunction, paralysis, excessive salivation, and aggressive behaviour.
    • Once symptoms appear, rabies is nearly 100% fatal.

    Prevention and Treatment:

    • Vaccination of dogs is the most effective prevention method.
    • Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), including wound care, rabies immune globulin (HRIG), and vaccines, must be administered immediately after exposure.

    National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP) Highlights:

    • Rabies is a zoonotic, 100% fatal, but 100% vaccine-preventable disease.
    • India accounts for 33% of global rabies deaths, mainly dog-mediated.
    • Common vectors: domestic dogs (South Asia, Africa), bats, raccoons (USA).
    • Symptoms: fever, confusion, hallucinations, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation.
    • Death occurs within 4-14 days due to cardio-respiratory failure.

      Key Initiatives:

      • World Rabies Day: Celebrated on September 28, marking Louis Pasteur’s contributions.
      • NAPRE 2030: Aims to eliminate dog-mediated rabies in India by 2030 using a One Health approach.

      Associated Article:

      https://universalinstitutions.com/decoding-rabies-transmission-a-16-year-tanzanian-study/