Rabies Is 100% Vaccine-Preventable But Fatal Once Symptoms Appear — Veterinary Officer

Ashanti Regional Veterinary Officer, Dr Mabel Abudu, has warned that rabies is fatal once symptoms begin to appear, although the disease is 100% vaccine-preventable.

Speaking in an interview with Kofi Boakye on Nkwantannanso on Opemsuo Radio ahead of World Rabies Day on September 28, Dr Abudu urged the public to take the disease seriously and seek immediate medical attention after being bitten by an animal suspected of having rabies.

She explained that rabies is caused by a virus that is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, mainly through bites.

According to her, when an infected animal bites a person, the virus enters the body through the nerves at the point of the bite, multiplies and gradually travels to the brain before reaching the salivary glands.

“When a rabid animal bites a human, the virus goes through the same process as when it bites another animal,” she explained.

Dr Abudu said rabies can affect warm-blooded mammals, meaning an infected animal can pass the virus to another animal through a bite.

She explained that if a rabid dog bites a cat, for instance, the cat can later transmit the virus to another animal or person when it bites them.

She, however, noted that there has not been any recorded case of human-to-human transmission of rabies.

The Veterinary Officer stressed that prompt treatment is critical after a person is bitten by an animal suspected of having rabies, warning that there is no effective treatment once the virus reaches the brain and symptoms begin to show.

“If a rabid animal bites you and you do not seek treatment before the virus reaches the brain, there is nothing health professionals can do, and you will die,” she warned.

She added that a person could also contract rabies if the saliva of an infected animal enters an open wound, even without a direct bite.

Dr Abudu further explained that infected animals often show changes in their behaviour, including avoiding light, isolating themselves and becoming unusually aggressive.

She said rabid dogs may attack or bite anything that moves and advised people not to run when confronted by an aggressive dog.

“That is why we keep saying that when a dog wants to bite you, you should stand still. It will walk around you and leave, but if you decide to run, it will chase and bite you,” she stated.

She urged the public to increase awareness about rabies and take preventive measures to protect themselves and their animals.

“We have to take rabies seriously and create awareness about it. The disease is dangerous, but it is 100% vaccine-preventable,” Dr Abudu said.