Taking Precautions Against Rabies
By Dr.Adam Huber (MBBS)
What is Rabies?
Rabies is caused by a virus which attacks the brain and central nervous system. It is passed between animals and humans. Simply playing with an animal with rabies will not cause infection. Yet if you are bitten or scratched by an infected animal you are at risk of contracting rabies.
Which animals carry the disease?
The rabies virus is prevalent in many developing countries, with rabid dogs and cats the main source of infection for humans. There are numerous animals which carry the disease. Other common carriers are monkeys, bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes. Vaccinating an animal against rabies is no guarantee that the same animal can’t contract rabies and pass the disease on to people.
How can I tell if an animal has rabies?
You can’t. While some animals will display obvious warning signs (foaming at the mouth/ unpredictable and aggressive behaviour) others can seem completely normal.
What are the symptoms of rabies?
Once infected symptoms include; pain and numbness at the bite site, loss of sensation around some parts of the body, motor problems leading to paralysis, agitation and confusion, fatigue, extreme thirst and muscle spasms. These symptoms can lead to death in 2-7 days without intensive life support in a hospital. Not nice.
Who is most at risk?
Children are at high risk of being bitten due to a generally fearless attitude with animals and their closer proximity to the ground. Supervising children is therefore important. Joggers and cyclists, particularly in rural areas, are also at a greater risk of being bitten.
How do I prevent the disease?
Vaccination is helpful. However, having the rabies shots before going overseas does not mean you are immune to the disease! You still need to find medical help a.s.a.p. after any bite from an animal.
It’s important to remember that in some areas the treatment you need might not be at hand. This is a good reason to get the vaccine before you leave Australia. There are lots of debates on traveller’s websites on whether or not it’s worthwhile getting the shots before you go. This is probably due to the high cost of the injections, and many travellers’ reluctance to spend or just plain stubbornness. The shots needed for rabies are amongst the most expensive of your pre trip immunisations.
Yet with a bit of pre-planning there are ways to minimise the cost (see immunisations: what do they cost?). The extra you might spend at home is well worth it if you are heading to any area where the disease is prevalent.
If you do get bitten you should wash the wound with plenty of soap and water. Even if you or the animal has been vaccinated, don’t delay! You need to get to medical help a.s.a.p. You have to assume any bite is a risk. Don’t hang around to see if the animal shows signs of rabies – get your ass to the nearest doctor.
In which countries am I particularly at risk?
The disease is most prevalent in developing countries, but most of the world suffers the risk of the infection in varying severity. We are lucky in Australia to have kept the disease out, as it is common right on our doorstep.
Without trying to panic anybody, Bali has had a recent and well publicised outbreak of rabies amongst the animal population. Declared in November 2008, authorities have had trouble dealing with the issues fuelling the spread of infection. Check out this article on the outbreak from the Jakarta globe (http://thejakartaglobe.com/).
India and China are also common areas for Aussies to visit that are particular concerns. Over 20,000 people a year die in India from the disease. Check out this article on the problem in India: (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)
So…
The point here is not to panic, but just to be well informed and prepared before you travel. As always, see you doctor well before you travel to discuss your options. You’re usual GP, as with the yellow fever vaccination, will probably have to refer you to a specialist clinic for the shots. Avoid feeding monkeys or petting dogs, no matter how harmless they might look.
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