Rabies, as before, remains a serious and unresolved problem in the world. According to the World Health Organization, cases of fury of people are recorded in more than 150 countries of the world.
Every year, this disease takes 55 thousand people, mainly in Asia and Africa. In a special risk group there are children, since they are more often in contact with animals than adults. Almost half of all deaths from rabies are registered among children under 15 years of age.
More than 3.3 billion people live in regions dysfunctional in rabies. Every year, more than ten million inhabitants of the planet receive immunization against rabies as a result of contact with animals. The epidemiological significance of rabies is determined by its absolute mortality, widespread distribution, direct connection with diseases among animals, the level of socio-economic development of the state and the provision of specific (anti-rabid) assistance to the population.
Rabies - an infectious disease, viral nature, which is transmitted to animals and people with close contact with saliva of infected individuals - with bites, scratches, as well as pollution of the saliva of the animal of damaged skin and mucous membranes.
In developed countries, the carriers of the virus are mainly wild animals, from which the disease is transmitted to pets and people. Recently, bats have become a significant epidemiological reservoir in some parts of the world (for example, in America and Australia). However, in Africa and Asia, the dogs are still the main carriers of rabies, and their bites lead to the main amount of cases of death of people from this infection around the world.
The period of contamination in animals occurs 3-10 days before the appearance of clinical signs and lasts throughout the disease.
The incubation period for rabies in humans is usually from 10 days to 2 months, although cases of its reduction of up to 5 days and lengthening to 1 year or more are known.
The first symptoms of the disease can appear at the site of damage caused in the form of muscle twitching, itching, pain along the nerves. At the beginning of the disease, causeless anxiety, fear, increased sensitivity to light and sound stimuli, subfebrile temperature are noted. Subsequently, attacks of water will be joined: painful cramps of the muscles of the pharynx and larynx when trying to drink, with the sounds of pouring water. Every day the disease progresses, paralysis develops. Death comes from stopping breathing and cardiovascular activity.
The main source and tank of natural rabies in the Republic of Belarus has been a fox for many years. Other wild carnivorous animals (raccoon dogs, wolves), as well as dogs and cats are epidemiological importance. They can become infected with rabies and transmit the virus to other animals and a person of cattle, horses and other herbivores.
On average, 3,700 people apply for the provision of anti -rabid assistance in the organization of healthcare of the city of Minsk, of which 870 people (24%) are children under 18 years of age. Most often, the victims of dogs (67%) and cats (23%) are facing medical help.
Due to contact with rabies in animals, about 50 people (1.4% of all those who have applied) are treated.
Rabies is an absolutely deadly disease that can be prevented. In the arsenal, medical workers have fairly effective drugs (anti -rabid vaccine and immunoglobulin). However, they provide protection against rabies only with timely treatment by the victims of medical help. So, in the city of Minsk, on average, for the year, medical and preventive immunization against rabies is prescribed for 1870 patients (51% of the number of people who have applied).
You can protect yourself and others from rabies if you know and fulfill several simple rules:
It is necessary to comply with the established rules for the maintenance of pets (dogs, cats) and annually bring their favorites to the veterinary station at the place of residence for preventive vaccinations against rabies;
In cases of changes in the behavior of a domestic animal, to obtain damage from another animal, death for no apparent reason, it is necessary to contact a veterinary specialist to establish observation or clarify the cause of the death of the animal;
Children often suffer from animal bites, so it is necessary to constantly carry out explanatory work with them and try to avoid unnecessary contacts with animals, especially wild or hopeless ones. The incorrect or inadequate behavior of a child, who, by virtue of age, will not be able to correctly assess the situation, often leads to aggression any, and even more so, a sick animal;
The child should be reminded of the need to inform adults in case of even minor damage caused by animals;
Do not select in the country, in the forest, on the street of wild and hopeless pets, or find the opportunity to show him to the veterinarian in a short time and instill in the rage;
You should not take the animal “for the summer summer season”: by throwing it away, you thereby increase the number of hopeless animals and increase the risk of rabies in the vicinity;
You should not get rid of an animal who bit or scratching a person. If possible, a ten -day observation should be established for it;
When wild animals appear on personal farmsteads in rural areas, on the territory of settlements it is necessary to take all precautions and ensuring the safety of yourself and your loved ones, since healthy wild animals, as a rule, avoid meeting with a person;
If contact with the animal, even externally healthy, still could not be avoided, it is necessary to carry out the initial processing of the wound on the shortest possible time - thoroughly rinse the wound surface for 15 minutes with a stream of water with soap, treat the edges of the wound with 5% tincture of iodine and immediately contact a medical institution. Only a doctor can evaluate the risk of possible infection with a rabies virus and prescribe, if necessary, the immunization course.
It should be remembered: the sooner this course has begun, the more likely a prosperous outcome.
In no case should you refuse the prescribed treatment and arbitrarily interrupt it: this can lead to tragic consequences.
Remember! Your health is in your hands! Take care of him!
