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Rabies—the disregarded disease that kills.

4/17/2015

6 Comments

 
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Did you know around 59,000 people die every year, that's 160 people per day, from rabies? Of course, the poorer regions of the world are the worst affected. It's always the underprivileged who suffer one way or another—be it famines, typhoons, tidal waves, earthquakes or disease.

Authors of the Global Alliance for Rabies Control study from the University of Glasgow suggested more should be done to vaccinate dogs, particularly in low-income countries.

Rabies is a fatal viral infection which is almost 100% preventable. The infection can infect all mammals, but domestic dogs cause more than 99% of all human deaths from rabies.

Most developed countries have eliminated rabies from their dog populations. But in many developing countries, rabies is still present in domestic dogs and is often poorly controlled. The report authors said vaccines for bite victims should also be more affordable and more widely available in these areas.

The vast majority of human deaths from rabies occur in Asia, Africa, and India. Source: BBC. 

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From numerous studies conducted on rabid dogs, cats, and ferrets, scientists tell us the rabies virus is introduced into a muscle through a bite from another animal, it travels from the site of the bite to the brain by moving within nerves. The animal does not appear ill during this incubation period, which may last for weeks to months. A bite by the animal during the incubation period does not carry a risk of rabies because the virus has not yet made it to the saliva.

But, when the virus reaches the brain it multiplies, causing inflammation, and then moves from the brain to the salivary glands and saliva. Within 3 to 5 days, the animal begins to show unmistakable signs of rabies.

From various reports, we know the disease causes extreme pain and a chemical imbalance of the brain, which makes the animal to go mad and bite—hence the term mad dog.

I, for one, didn't know rabies was so prevalent. I've never known anyone who has been affected either, although I needed to receive Rabies immunization before I traveled from Australia to Bali in the 70s with my mother. Even there, I didn't see any sign of the disease. But tourists are kept well away from loathsome sights.

In Bali, I became very sick and spent half of the two week period weak and resting. I'd ingested something in the water although I took every precaution. 'Bali Belly'. Apparently, I shouldn't have eaten salad because it's washed with water. I now know travelers’ diarrhea is the most common illness contracted abroad, affecting 20-60% of overseas visitors.

But, back to rabies. It seems a simple vaccine for all overseas dogs could prevent this horrible disease.


6 Comments
Lata Subramanian link
4/16/2015 07:37:15 pm

True....more awareness needed though. Your post will help

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Louise link
4/16/2015 08:26:57 pm

This is so sad. If a simple vaccination could prevent this you would think something would be done about it in this day and age :(

Louise x

<a href="http://withlovefromlou.co.uk">With love from Lou</a>

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Alana link
4/16/2015 08:30:23 pm

I had a family member who had to undergo rabies shots last year after being bitten by a bat. That's a hazard where I live. Even with the improved shots (compared to years ago) they are draining, have major side effects, and worst of all, are expensive (many insurances here in the states do NOT cover them. And, in New York State, the shots MUST be given in an emergency room, and you get charged for an ER visit each time you get a shot. Why?? We had, locally, an entire family bitten by a rabid wild animal last year, and their reported medical bills were astronomical.

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nick #thisyearinmusic link
4/16/2015 10:57:19 pm

Such a horrible statistic, I don't know anyone who ever had it, hope I never do.

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Joan Harrington link
4/17/2015 02:16:28 am

Hi Francene,

Yes awareness is key about this awful disease.......so sad

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Laurel Regan link
4/17/2015 07:42:16 am

I had no idea that rabies was so common. Thankfully it's preventable - here's hoping vaccinations can be made more available where they're most needed.

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    Francene Stanley
    From England, I use news items in my novels which you can see below, all linked to an Amazon near you.

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