Rabies: What We need to know! Developed for Public Information by Tibet Charity Animal Care Center Temple Road, P.O. McLeod Ganj Dharamsala, Distt. Kangra ( H.P) India

What is Rabies? Rabies is a dangerous disease caused by a virus If untreated it could lead to death.

Rabies Exposure Rabies is a big threat to the lives of people. It is specially a bigger threat to children who come face to face with them.

How great is the risk to Humans? In India 1 person dies every 30 minutes due to rabies Around 7 million people in India are bitten by rabid animals every year Around 20,000 deaths in a year are caused by rabies in India Some Tibetans too have died in the recent past because of rabies

Wild mammals: foxes, monkeys, bats Dogs, cats, cattle Humans Any mammal can get rabies

Mammals that are LESS likely to give you rabies

Animals that CANNOT give you rabies

How do you get rabies? People and animals get rabies if they are bitten or scratched by an animal that already has rabies Rabies is carried in the saliva of an animal with rabies It could be transmitted when saliva from a rabid animal comes in contact with an open cut, the eyes, nose or mouth of a person or animal Blood, feces and urine do not carry the virus.

How does rabies make you sick? Once inside the body, the virus travels along the nerves to the spinal cord and brain

If a person or animal starts showing external symptom of rabies, they will almost always die from it

How do you tell if an animal has rabies? Some animals may show –fearfulness or aggression –have problems walking –excessive drooling of saliva –difficulty in swallowing –hanging of lower jaw –biting unusual objects BUT………………………………………

How do you tell if an animal has rabies? ….it’s important to remember that you can’t tell if an animal has rabies just by the way it’s acting Animals that appear healthy may have rabies

Early Symptoms of Rabies in Human Early symptoms of rabies in humans include nonspecific flu-like signs such as: Fever Headache Sore throat and feeling tired. These symptoms may last for days.

More serious symptoms of Rabies in Humans As the virus gets to the brain, the person may act nervous, confused, and upset. Other symptoms of rabies in humans include: Pain or tingling at the site of the bite Hallucinations (for example, seeing things that are not really there) Hydrophobia ("fear of water" due to spasms in the throat) Paralysis (unable to move parts of the body)

More serious symptoms of Rabies in Humans The acute period of disease typically ends after 2 to 10 days As the disease advances, the person enters into a coma and dies

Can rabies be prevented? YES!!!!!!!! Vaccinate your pets Stay away from stray animals Appreciate wildlife from a distance. Don’t touch them Prevent nesting of bats around your house

Protect yourself and your pets If your pet is bitten by another animal, call your veterinarian right away Keep your pets from straying far away from your house

Help keep wildlife that can give you rabies away from your home by: Keeping lids on trash cans. Storing pet food either inside your house or in closed containers outside Feeding your pets inside or bringing their bowls in at night Don’t let garbage accumulate around your house. They could become a breeding ground for unwanted animals.

What you Should Know about Rabies Vaccination Pre Exposure Vaccination 0 day7 th dayand 21 st or 28 th day If you are bitten after you have received pre-bite vaccinations you only require two vaccinations after the bite: On the day of the bite and on the 3 rd day of the bite You don’t require expensive Human Immune Globulin

What you Should Know about Rabies Vaccination Post Exposure Vaccination: You must immediately receive Human Immune Globulin. Then you require five vaccinations thereafter: 1st day of the bite 3rd day of the bite, 7th day of the bite 14 th day of the bite 30 th day of the bite

Note: It is always safer to go to a hospital if you are bitten by an animal as the doctors could treat you for other illnesses that are likely to be caused by an animal bites – if not rabies.

What should you do if you are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal? –Tell an adult immediately –Wash the wound vigorously with soap and water for at least 5 minutes –Don’t suture the wound –Go to a hospital right away –Don’t just trust superstitious practices or home remedies

Rabies Quiz ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Which of these animals can give you rabies?

Dogs?

YES!

Snakes?

NO

Cats?

YES!

Rabbits? (this one is tricky)

YES!

True or False? Rabies is caused by a virus

True or False? Rabies is caused by a virus TRUE!

True or False? If we have received pre-exposure vaccination, we don’t require any vaccination after a bite by a Rabid Dog.

True or False? If we have received pre-exposure vaccination, we don’t require any vaccination after a bite by a Rabid Dog. FALSE

True or False The rabies virus affects the brain and spinal cord

True or False The rabies virus affects the brain and spinal cord TRUE!

True or False? If you are bitten by an animal, you should clean the wound right away

True or False? If you are bitten by an animal, you should clean the wound right away TRUE!

True or False? People can get rabies from the saliva of an animal with rabies

True or False? People can get rabies from the saliva of an animal with rabies TRUE!

True or False? You can always tell, just by looking, if an animal has rabies

True or False? You can always tell, just by looking, if an animal has rabies FALSE

A. Never touch stray or wild animals B. Ask your veterinarian to vaccinate your pets C. Tell an adult if you see a wild or stray animal acting strangely D. Keep lids on your trash cans Which is the right way to protect yourself from rabies ?

The right way to protect yourself from rabies is: ALL OF THE ABOVE!

THE END