Understanding Rabies and its transmission

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system, leading to brain inflammation and death.

It is a significant public health issue in over 150 countries, particularly in Asia and Africa.

As a health worker, I have seen some rabies cases and the terrifying effect it has.

The first thing to remember is that the virus is primarily transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal. Transmission is almost always (99% of cases) from an infected dog.

Rabies is fatal once clinical symptoms of brain infection appear. It causes approximately 59,000 deaths worldwide each year, with the majority occurring in Africa and Asia.

Rabies disproportionately affects poor and rural communities where access to healthcare and human and dog vaccination is limited. Children under 15 years old are particularly vulnerable, accounting for up to 40% of rabies deaths. They are at higher risk due to their interactions with animals and lack of awareness about the dangers of rabies.

While the rabies virus cannot be eradicated from nature, human deaths from rabies can be eliminated. The number of deaths from rabies can be reduced to nearly zero by vaccinating dogs against the disease and ensuring that anyone who comes into contact with rabies-infected animals receives appropriate and timely treatment.

Click NEXT so we can learn about how rabies spreads.