Rabies Disease

In News 

• Recently, the Supreme Court observed  that those who feed the street dogs could be made responsible for vaccinating them.
  • The SC’s observations come after around one lakh people have suffered stray dog bites while 21 rabies deaths have been reported this year so far.

About Rabies 

• It is a viral zoonotic disease that causes progressive and fatal inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. 
  • Clinically, it has two forms: 
    • Furious rabies – characterized by hyperactivity and hallucinations.
    • Paralytic rabies – characterized by paralysis and coma. 
• It is a fatal but preventable viral disease.
• Spread : It is present on all continents, except Antarctica, with over 95% of human deaths occurring in the Asia and Africa regions. Rabies is one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) that predominantly affects poor and vulnerable populations who live in remote rural locations. 
• Transmission : It can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal.
• Impact : The rabies virus infects the central nervous system. If a person does not receive the appropriate medical care after a potential rabies exposure, the virus can cause disease in the brain, ultimately resulting in death. 
• Treatment and Prevention : Rabies can be prevented by vaccinating pets, staying away from wildlife, and seeking medical care after potential exposures before symptoms start.

Source: IE