WORLD RABIES DAY 2019
Rabies is a fatal viral disease which affects the central nervous system. It causes inflammation of the brain, leading to death.It is transmitted through contact with the saliva of an infected animal. Bites, licks and scratches from rabid animals are the mode of transmission of rabies. Any warm-blooded mammal can carry or contract rabies like raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes, bats, squirrels, mice, rat, cat and dog.Humans are mammals. Therefore, theoretically, human-to-human rabies transmission is possible. However, there are no laboratory-tested cases to confirm that this has actually happened.
Every year, millions of healthy dogs are inhumanely killed for fear of this deadly disease.There are many myths like if an animal is foaming at the mouth, or is becoming partially paralysed or even once bitten someone definitely has rabies.
While it can also be a sign of heatstroke, dental problems, distemper.
Some of the main reasons for a dog bite is when people tend to walk close to puppies which makes mother dog do a protection act. And during dog heat period (two dogs fighting for a female dog) can cause people who come in between, if the dog is scared and people approach him or teasing and scaring them unnecessarily can result a bite.
We strongly feel sad for the ones who suffered from the dog bites, but do consider these points before you point fingers.
See,there is a need of awareness !
People kill these dogs suspecting rabies and call these dogs rabid dogs. But actually to verify whether they have rabies,these dogs should be captured and observed for 10 days, as rabid dogs have only a survival period of around 10 days. Another mistake the media creates is to call these bites as rabid bites. If that is the case,then all those people would have been dead by now !! Did that happen ????
Even rabid dogs cannot be killed but they must be immediately reported to you municipalities. Please understand that rabid dogs are only 1 in 1000 in our country (fact).
This is what can be done.
*Animal birth control should be implemented (already implemented in many states successfully). Dogs who are sterilised will not get affected by rabies and wont reproduce and thus bring down the number of strays in the streets.
*Pet owners must be educated to vaccinate their dogs against rabies timely.
*Municipal Corporations must start vaccinating street dogs with the help of local animal NGOs and start awareness programmes for Pet Owners and Animal Caretakers.
If you are bitten or scratched by any animal, Wash animal bites or scratches immediately with soap and water. If you are bitten, scratched, or unsure, talk to a healthcare provider about whether you need post exposure prophylaxis. Rabies in people is 100% preventable through prompt appropriate medical care. Vaccinate your pets to protect them and your family.
“Since animals cant speak,we must not dominate over them giving low value to their life. Their life too has a value and killing is not the option when there are more humane methods and options.
One comment
Gopi
September 28, 2019 at 2:05 pm
Measures to be taken after a dog bite too should have been explained