Rabies can be deadly

World Rabies Day, 8 September 2011

Menzi Sibiya* is a GEMS member from Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal. He recently visited his neighbour, Vusi, so that they could watch soccer on television together. Vusi had a dog that Menzi was fond of and patted on the head as he usually did when he arrived at the house.  Two days later, Menzi was shocked to learn from Vusi that he had called the police to put the dog down because it had become aggressive and was foaming at the mouth. "It looked to me like the dog had caught rabies and I couldn't take any chances as I have my family to think of," said Vusi.

Vusi told Menzi that rabies was a very dangerous illness and he and his family had been advised by the police to go to the local hospital to get vaccinated against it. He suggested that perhaps Vusi should do the same as he had been in contact with the dog the Saturday before.

"Just how do you catch rabies?" Vusi wondered. "I thought you had to be bitten by a rabid animal before you are at risk of catching it?" He decided to visit his doctor immediately to find out.

As part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS) on-going effort to educate our members and future members on a range of healthcare topics, we would like to share real life member stories with you and explore certain important healthcare issues. This article looks at the subject of rabies this World Rabies Day, 8 September 2011.

Menzi's doctor said that because he had just patted the dog and had not been bitten by it he was at low risk of catching the disease. Nevertheless the doctor gave Menzi a referral to the nearest hospital for rabies vaccination "just in case". He suggested that it is always better to play it safe and have the vaccine administered if there is exposure to a rabid animal. Menzi took his doctor's advice and went to hospital for the rabies shots.

Rabies is a viral illness that can affect any warm-blooded animal including humans. People catch the rabies virus via the saliva of an infected animal. Usually it is passed on through a bite, but it is possible to get the disease from a scratch or lick from an infected animal. It is typically transmitted by animals such as dogs, cats and meerkats. The virus attacks the brain of victims and, if it is not treated soon after the bite, causes them to die in agony.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 55 000 human deaths occur every year around the world as a result of rabies. Most rabies deaths occur in developing countries on the African and Asian continents. Rabies occurs throughout South Africa but is found in some provinces, such as KwaZulu-Natal, more than others.

It is important for people, especially in rural areas, to be able to recognise the signs of rabies in animals and to know what to do in the event someone is bitten by a rabid animal because it is a deadly disease if it is not treated properly.

Dog bites are the most common way the disease is passed on to humans in South Africa, so be wary of dogs you do not know and keep your children away from them. Children are often the victims of bites as they enjoy playing with animals. Children should not be allowed to play with or keep wild animals, such as meerkats and mongooses, as pets. Animals like this could be carrying the disease and easily bite them. If you have dogs try to keep them away from other stray dogs or animals as they too can be bitten and become infected.

Animals that have been infected with rabies often behave strangely. They may become very passive or very aggressive and some wild animals may lose their fear of humans. An infected animal may foam at the mouth like Vusi's dog did while others may become completely paralysed. People should stay away from any animal that is behaving unusually, even if it is their own pet.

One way pet owners can prevent their pets from catching rabies and becoming a danger is to have them vaccinated against the disease at a veterinarian. Rabies vaccinations for pets should be kept up to date and owners should enquire at the vet as to when the next vaccination should be done.

A rabies vaccine is available for people, but it is usually only recommended for people who work closely with animals and are at high risk of coming into contact with the disease such as vets and animal handlers. Typically people are only treated once they have been exposed to the virus.

The first signs of rabies in a person may include headaches, fever, agitation, and confusion. If a person is bitten by an animal that is suspected of having rabies one must clean the wound thoroughly and seek medical attention urgently.  If a patient is not treated in time and the disease is allowed to set in they will die, so speed is of the utmost importance.

People who have been exposed to rabies receive a series of post-exposure vaccines. If they are thought to be at high risk of developing rabies (such as after having been bitten by a rabid animal) they may also be treated with rabies immune globulin, which is a blood product that contains antibodies against rabies.

While rabies is a very dangerous disease, it is also fairly easy to prevent if a few basic steps are followed. Vusi did the right thing by calling the police when he suspected that his dog might be infected with rabies. He was also wise to take his family to the nearest hospital, because rabies vaccination will prevent the disease from killing you if you have contracted it.  It is important to get treated quickly, however, so do not delay in getting to hospital if you have been in contact with a rabid animal.

If you would like to know how GEMS can assist you to obtain more information about any of your healthcare needs, you can contact the GEMS call centre on 0860 00 4367 or send a SMS to 083 450 4367. GEMS will assist you in every way possible to ensure your family's health and well-being.

Sources:
1. ‘Rabies', World Health Organization, www.who.int/topics/rabies/en/.
2. ‘Rabies vaccine questions and answers', Immunization Action Coalition, www.vaccineinformation.org/rabies/qandavax.asp.
3. ‘World Rabies Day', South African Veterinary Council (SAVC), www.savc.org.za.

*The member's name has been changed in order to protect his identity.