[Wasagdu] Rabies

[Becky Frankeberger]

I just heard a lady from the Health Department here in Mason County say a
small percentage of bats do have rabies, and of course I don't remember the
precise number.

 

The following is taken from the Sunset Eastern Animal Hospital website.  My
thanks to them for this very comprehensive article.

 

The animal hospital is located in Las Vegas. Charlie Crawford.

 

 

What You Need to Know About Rabies

 

 

 

 

      What to Do If You Think You Might Have Rabies 

 

      If you think you may have been infected with rabies, take the
following 

      steps:

        Wash the wound with anti-bacterial soap and rinse it thoroughly.
Washing 

        will help remove some of the saliva; although you cannot rely on
washing 

        alone to prevent an infection.

        See a doctor as soon as possible. Prompt treatment is the key to 

        avoiding or treating rabies. Based on the type of exposure, your
doctor 

        will determine if you need treatment.

        Talk to animal control personnel and health department staff about
the 

        location of the animal. These departments will do their best to
capture 

        a wild animal and test it for rabies. If you were bitten by a pet,
it 

        will be observed for 10 days. You will not need to receive treatment
if 

        the pet remains healthy during this time. Treatment recommendations
for 

        other animals vary, depending on the type of animal and exposure. If
you 

        have been bitten and the animal cannot be found, treatment is often 

        recommended. Because bats have tiny teeth, you may not always
realize 

        that you have been bitten, particularly if the bat was in your
bedroom 

        overnight. Be sure to mention any exposure to bats to your doctor.

 

 

Rabies is deadly disease, but, luckily, outbreaks are not particularly
common in 

the United States. In fact, 95 percent of deaths due to rabies occur in
Africa 

and Asia, according to the World Health Organization. Although rabies might
not 

be widespread in the U.S., the consequences can be severe if you are bitten
by a 

rabid animal.

 

A Dangerous Virus

 

Rabies is an infectious viral disease that is spread among mammals. It is
part 

of a group of diseases, called zoonotic diseases, that animals can transmit
to 

humans. The rabies virus is usually transmitted through saliva when an
infected 

animal bites or scratches you; although you can also get rabies if you touch
the 

brain or nervous system tissue of an animal.

 

Not Just Bats

 

Bats are one of the most well-known carriers of the rabies virus, but they
are 

not the only mammals that can infect people. Other carriers include skunks, 

cattle, coyotes, foxes, dogs, cats, ferrets and raccoons; although bites
from 

infected dogs cause the majority of human deaths attributed to rabies.

 

Types of Exposure

 

A bite from an infected animal is not the only way that the virus spreads. 

Because rabies is present in the animal's saliva, you can also get rabies if
the 

saliva comes in contact with a scratch or wound or with your mouth, lips,
eyes 

or other mucous membranes. For example, being licked by a dog with rabies
could 

expose you to the virus. Rabies is not spread by touching or petting an
infected 

animal or by coming in contact with its urine, feces or blood. If you are
not 

sure if you should receive treatment, call your doctor or local health 

department for advice.

 

Rabies Symptoms

 

Rabies symptoms do not develop immediately after you are bitten. It may take
one 

week to three months before you may notice any changes in your health. Early


symptoms include fever, pain and a burning or tingling feeling at the site
of 

your wound. The virus eventually travels throughout your entire nervous
system, 

causing inflammation of the spinal cord and brain. Rabies is often fatal
once 

symptoms develop.

 

The Good News

 

Rabies is very rarely fatal if you receive treatment soon after exposure.
You 

will receive one dose of immune globulin and four doses of the rabies
vaccine 

over the course of two weeks. Although these injections were once given in
the 

abdomen, today, doctors use your arm as the injection site.

 

Preventing the Spread of Rabies

 

Rabies vaccines for pets are very effective in preventing the disease.
Depending 

on your state, you may be required to vaccinate your pet every year or every


three years. Avoid contact with wild animals and be careful when handling
the 

remains of dead wild animals. If you notice that animals that are normally 

nocturnal, such as skunks or raccoons, are active during the day, stay away
from 

them and call your local animal control department.

 

Whether you have questions about rabies or other illnesses or health
conditions 

that can affect your pet, we are here for you. Just give us a call, and we
will 

be happy to answer your questions or make an appointment for you.

  

 

 

-- 
The Seeing Eye
Independence with Dignity since 1929



 

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