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At the time of this writing, there was a post on Canomed Corp about rabies awareness and the virus still being a health concern in the Philippines in line with World Rabies Day on September 28, 2024.
World Rabies Day seeks to raise awareness about the virus and also celebrate French chemist, microbiologist and pharmacist, Louis Pasteur’s death. He developed the first rabies vaccine. We owe a lot to this man despite his many faults.
Without his fearlessness, a lot of medical advances would’ve probably been delayed or non-existent today.
But that’s a story for another day.
Today we’re going to find out what animals have the potential to carry the virus and what we can do about it. Because we love our pets, we also must understand that there are risks involved in keeping them as family members.
Animals Included in the Rabies Awareness Program in the Philippines
- Dogs
- Cats
- Bats
- Rabbits (though rare)
- Monkeys
- Horses
- Cattle/Cows
- Goats
- Sheep
- Pigs
Surprised about some of the animals included? Me too!
Other Animals Included in the Rabies Awareness Program but Not Necessarily in the Philippines
- Raccoons
- Skunks
- Foxes
- Coyotes
- Wolves
- Ferrets
- Mongoose
- Jackals
- Opossums (though rare)
- Groundhogs/Woodchucks
- Beavers
- Squirrels (though uncommon)
- Donkeys
- Bobcats
- Badgers
- Otters
- Marmots
- Coatis
- Anteaters
- Armadillos
It’s important to note that while all mammals can theoretically contract and transmit rabies, some are much more common vectors than others. Rodents and lagomorphs (rabbits and hares) are rarely found to be rabid in nature, and transmission from these animals to humans is extremely rare.
Also, keep in mind that rabies prevalence varies greatly by geographic region. Some countries have successfully eliminated rabies in domestic animals, while in others it remains a significant public health concern.
Austria, Germany, France, Iceland, Ireland, Switzerland and Spain have successfully eradicated the rabies virus. In the Philippines, it continues to be a health issue.
More About Rabies Awareness – Transmission, Prevention & Treatment
Transmission:
- Rabies is typically transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually via a bite.
- Less commonly, it can be transmitted through scratches or when infected saliva comes into contact with mucous membranes or an open wound.
- The virus travels through the nervous system to the brain, which is why quick treatment is crucial.
Prevention:
- Vaccination of domestic pets (especially dogs and cats) is a key preventive measure.
- Avoid contact with wild animals, especially those acting strangely or overly friendly.
- If bitten or scratched by an animal, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water immediately.
- Seek medical attention promptly if exposed to a potentially rabid animal.
- Pre-exposure vaccination is recommended for people in high-risk occupations (e.g., veterinarians, wildlife workers).
Treatment:
- Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP):
- Thorough wound cleaning
- Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) administered at the wound site
- A series of rabies vaccines given over 14 days
If symptoms have already developed, treatment is primarily supportive. The Milwaukee Protocol, an experimental treatment involving induced coma and antiviral drugs, has had limited success but is not widely accepted.
How Do You Know if You or Your Pet Have Rabies?
Symptoms in humans:
- Early symptoms (prodromal stage):
- Fever
- Headache
- General weakness
- Discomfort at the bite site
- Acute neurologic period:
- Anxiety, confusion, agitation
- Insomnia
- Hallucinations
- Hypersalivation
- Difficulty swallowing
- Hydrophobia (fear of water)
- Paralysis
- Coma and death usually occur within 2-10 days after the onset of symptoms.
Rabies in animals:
- Incubation period can vary greatly, from weeks to months.
- Symptoms in animals may include:
- Behavior changes (e.g., nocturnal animals active during day)
- Aggression or unusual friendliness
- Excessive drooling
- Difficulty swallowing
- Paralysis
Let’s Take Part in Rabies Awareness in Our Areas
Why are we raising so much rabies awareness these days? Well, here’s something you need to know: rabies is everywhere. All continents, except Antarctica have cases of rabies. And it’s endemic in over 150 countries and territories.
Although many developed countries have eliminated rabies, it is still found in wild animals. Only Japan and the UK are considered rabies-free.
On the other end of the scope, Africa and Asia account for 95% of rabies-related deaths globally. And it is a very high number with 59,000 deaths recorded annually. 40% of which are children under 15 years old. So, let’s do our part and take part in the rabies awareness programs in your locales.
Give us a call or send us a message if you want more information.
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