Rabies Awareness

March: Rabies Awareness MonthTheme: End Rabies, Now Na!

Quick Facts About Rabies:Source: http://news.abs-cbn.com/

• Rabies is caused by a virus that infects the central nervous system. A patient may die within three to five days.


• Rabies accounts for about 55,000 deaths worldwide every year, and majority of the fatalities are children. In the Philippines, the disease is responsible for the death of 200 to 300 Filipinos annually.


• Rabies cases are usually higher in the Philippines during summer, when children spend more time playing outdoors.

• There are two ways that a person can get the rabies virus – through the bite of a rabid animal such as a dog, and by inhalation. The latter occurs only in special circumstances, such as when the patient is inside a laboratory.


• Here are some signs that you may have rabies:– anxiety, stress and tension– delirium – drooling – convulsions – exaggerated sensation at the bite site– Hallucinations– loss of feeling in an area of the body– loss of muscle function


– low-grade fever (102 degrees Fahrenheit or lower)– muscle spasms– numbness and tingling– pain at the side of the bite– Restlessness– Insomnia– swallowing difficulty


• Rabies cannot be cured, but it is preventable. There are two ways to prevent this disease – by vaccinating dogs, and by vaccinating humans. Traditional healers’ approaches to treating rabies have no scientific basis.


• When bitten by stray animals who may have rabies, do the following: 1) immediately wash the bite with soap and clean water. Antiseptics may be applied. 2) Consult a physician or go to your nearest animal bite center for immunization 3) Consult a veterinarian for the management of the biting dog.


• The DOH is targeting a rabies-free Philippines by 2020 mainly through the vaccination of all dogs in the country.

Education

Rabies Awareness