BY MARIA PUTHOOR AND RAM RAMAN RABIES

CAUSES Transmitted through saliva and nerve tissue Caused by lyssavirus (rabies and Australian bat virus) Introduced through open wounds and mucous membranes Rare transmission between humans during transplant surgeries. (eg: of the cornea)

Introduced into the muscle during bite Enters nervous system. Virus multiplies within. Incubation period: Not dangerous. Ascend to the brain causing encephalitis which leads to the onset of symptoms. Virus spreads to the salivary glands and other organs. DEVELOPMENT

SYMPTOMS Headaches Vomiting Fever Hallucination (puppy dog syndrome) Hydrophobia (furious rabies) Muscle Spasms of the larynx Excess saliva production Disorientation Muscle paralysis (in paralytic rabies) Complications: Cardiac failure and Respiratory failure Death is seen in about 80% of cases after appearance of clinical symptoms.

TREATMENTS Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is the immediate treatment of a bite victim in order to prevent rabies. 3 steps: o Local treatment of wounds o Series of rabies vaccines (HDCV-course of 14 days) o A fast acting shot (HRIG)

EPIDEMIOLOGY Deaths every year 90% are hydrophobia deaths 30 million stray dogs – account for 95% of transmissions Tends to affect rural areas most Only 60% of those affected receive vaccine

THE FUTURE Only 15% of dogs so far vaccinated No current government plans to implement nationwide vaccination scheme If 70% of dogs vaccinated, virus could be controlled

BIBLIOGRAPHY Map : "Rabies Fact Sheet N°99". World Health Organization. July Retrieved 28 February “Epidemeology of Rabies In India” – S Ahuja, K K Tripathi, S M Saha, S N Saxena