Recently, local news has reported that there is a rabies outbreak in Kuching, Sarawak which has resulted in 3 victims who are now in the ICU. Dogs are being captured and probably killed next. Some animal lovers are disheartened and saying this is not the right way to kill dogs, some sarcastic people are asking animal lovers to heal the dogs, while some animal haters are asking to kill all dogs on the street. There are also people who are not very educated about rabies, and they kept harping about killing cats too as cats can also have rabies (based on their google search). Some other people added on by saying that bats, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits can also have rabies.
Let me educate you people about rabies.
1. What is rabies???
Rabies is a viral disease that is caused the virus Lyssavirus. It is transmitted to humans through the saliva of infected animals, usually through wounds or bites. Rabies usually causes seizure/convulsion, paralysis, coma, and finally death to the victim once infected.
2. Is there a cure for rabies???
No, there is no cure for rabies. However, there is a vaccine that can prevent rabies. The problem is that this vaccine is not available everywhere for every one, and it is given to certain people who have high risk of getting rabies because of constant contact with animals (eg. vets/veterinary students). However if you are already bitten by an infected animal, you can still be vaccinated but it must be done as soon as possible before the virus reaches the brain (takes around 10 days).
3. What are the signs and symptoms of rabies in humans???
Headache, fever, feel irritable, confusion, excess salivation, convulsion/seizure, muscle spasms, hallucination, paralysis, and coma.
4. Why mostly dogs transmit rabies to humans???
Dogs are found everywhere, especially stray dogs on the streets. Dogs can bite and cause wounds. Dogs secrete a lot of saliva, and the virus is transmitted through saliva into the bloodstream through wounds. Cats and bats rarely bite humans, even if they do, the bites are rarely serious enough to cause wounds.
5. How does the virus reach the brain?
The virus enters the bite wound and multiplies in the muscle at the site of bite. The virus moves up the peripheral nervous system (any nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord) to the central nervous system, up the spinal cord, finally reaching the brain. When it reaches the brain, it causes all these symptoms like headache, fever, seizure, etc.
6. Is there any other way to treat the poor rabies-infected dogs instead of killing them?
Sorry, no. There is no other way except to kill them.
7. How to know if the dogs are infected with rabies virus?
The infected dogs will be very fierce and ferocious. They will not be friendly to you. Be aware of fierce wild dogs barking, chasing and biting you.
