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Rabies facts from the WHO: how it spreads and how to prevent it

Rabies facts from the WHO: how it spreads and how to prevent it

Rabies is a viral disease that passes from animals to people and attacks the brain and spinal cord. Once symptoms appear it is almost always fatal, but it can be prevented: wash the wound and get the vaccine in time. These are the key facts from the World Health Organization’s fact sheet of .

How rabies spreads

  • Dogs are responsible for up to 99% of human rabies cases (WHO).
  • The virus spreads through saliva, usually by bites, scratches or contact with the eyes, mouth or an open wound (WHO).
  • Rabies infects mammals, including dogs, cats, livestock and wildlife. Bites from rodents are not known to transmit rabies (WHO).
  • Children are frequent victims: 40% of deaths are of children under 15 (WHO).

Symptoms

  • Symptoms usually start 2 to 3 months after the bite, but this can be anywhere from one week to one year (WHO).
  • First signs are fever, pain, and tingling or burning at the wound. Later, the brain and spinal cord become inflamed (WHO).
  • Once symptoms appear, rabies is fatal in virtually 100% of cases (WHO).

What to do after a bite or scratch

  • Wash the wound immediately with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, and get medical care the same day (WHO).
  • Treatment after a bite (post-exposure prophylaxis) means thorough wound washing, a course of rabies vaccine and, when needed, rabies immunoglobulin or monoclonal antibodies. Given in time, it stops the virus reaching the brain (WHO).
  • Step by step for India: What to do after a dog bite in India.

How rabies is prevented

  • Vaccinating dogs, including puppies, is the most cost-effective way to protect people, because it stops rabies at its source (WHO).
  • Culling free-roaming dogs is not effective in controlling rabies (WHO).
  • Teaching children and adults about dog behaviour, bite prevention and what to do after a bite is essential (WHO).

Related on Animal Writes

This guide is general information, not medical advice. After a bite, see a doctor.

Questions about rabies

Animal welfare FAQ

Rabies spreads through an infected animal’s saliva, usually by a bite or scratch, or contact with the eyes, mouth or an open wound. Dogs cause up to 99% of human cases, according to the WHO.

Once symptoms appear, rabies is fatal in virtually 100% of cases, the WHO says. Before that, it can be prevented by washing the wound and getting the vaccine in time.

Wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, then get medical care the same day. The WHO says prompt treatment stops the virus reaching the brain.

Rabies symptoms usually start 2 to 3 months after the bite, but it can be anywhere from one week to one year, according to the WHO.

No. The WHO says culling free-roaming dogs is not effective in controlling rabies. Vaccinating dogs is the most cost-effective way to protect people.

Sources

Source: World Health Organization Read the original (opens in a new tab)

Summary written by Animal Writes. Read the original before relying on it.

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