Rabies is a serious infectious disease that mainly affects mammals and is caused by the rabies virus, a neurotropic pathogen belonging to the Lyssavirus family. The name “Lyssa” comes from the Greek deity that personifies fury and uncontrolled anger, which explains why the disease is known as rabies, because of the anger and fury it provokes in people.
Transmission and prevention
The infection is zoonotic in origin, i.e. it is transmitted by an animal through saliva-contaminated bites or scratches. In developing countries, the main transmitter of rabies is the dog, while in developed countries it is the bat. Rabies prevention is possible through vaccination at 30 days, three months and annually.
Post-exposure treatment
After a bite, it is important to clean the wound with an antiseptic solution such as soap and water for 15 minutes. It is important to know the animal that has caused the bite to determine whether it is wild or domestic in order to assess the patient's risk. In case of severe risk, rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin should be administered. Rabies serum is administered on the day of the bite, at 3, 7 and 14 days. If the animal is not found, rabies vaccine is used. If the animal is found, a 10-day observation period is required.
Evolution of the disease
Rabies disease develops in several stages:
- BiteAfter the bite, the virus travels through motor neurons in the muscles near the bite site. It travels through the peripheral nerves to reach the central nervous system, using retrograde neuronal transport that allows it to use the nerves as pathways to travel to the brain at a speed of 250mm per day.
- Incubation periodThis period lasts 1 to 3 months on average, but there have been cases of 1 to 2 years.
- The prodromeIt is the malaise that precedes the disease. From this point, rabies becomes a lethal 100% disease. Signs and symptoms are very non-specific, such as headache, nausea, vomiting, malaise, fatigue, anxiety and loss of sensation in the bite region.
- Acute neurological periodIt has two variants: encephalic rabies and paralytic rabies.
- Alert Neural Cluster: Starts to fail, leading to lethargy and stupor.
- ComaAt this point, the only thing left to do is to wait for the virus to do its job, as it is irreversible. The virus disables breathing.
In conclusion
Rabies is 100% lethal but also 100% preventable. Despite its seriousness, awareness and prevention can help to eradicate this disease.
At Monkey Park, we are proud to say that we have maintained an impeccable track record of over 30 years without a single case of rabies. Our commitment to the safety and health of our animals is unwavering. We implement rigorous prevention measures on a daily basis to ensure that our animals are protected against any possible contagion. In addition, our staff is prepared to quickly detect any symptoms of disease. Therefore, you can visit us with complete peace of mind, knowing that our animals are in the best hands and completely safe. Your well-being is our top priority at Monkey Park.
