RABIES
- SCI & TECH
News:
Dog bite cases remain a
concern in Tamil Nadu
What's
in the news?
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In 2023, two of the major government
hospitals in the city – Government Stanley Medical College Hospital and Rajiv
Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) – treated at least 5,500 to 6,000
persons for dog bites. The numbers have been quite consistent over the last few
years, say doctors.
Key
takeaways:
●
A recent study published in Tamil Nadu
Journal of Public Health and Medical Research – ‘Rabies Elimination in Tamil
Nadu - Where Do We Stand?’ – highlights the many challenges faced across the
State.
Rabies:
●
It is a vaccine-preventable viral disease
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The
central nervous system is infected by the rabies virus.
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The virus can create a disorder in the
brain that will ultimately lead to death if the right medical care is not given
to a person following a possible rabies exposure.
●
Dogs
are the main source of human deaths due to infection.
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It is one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) that predominantly affects poor
and vulnerable populations who live in remote rural locations.
Prevention:
●
It is a vaccine-preventable disease.
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Vaccinating dogs is the most
cost-effective strategy for preventing rabies in people.
●
Dog vaccination reduces deaths
attributable to dog-mediated infection and the need for PEP as a part of dog
bite patient care.
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Awareness of the disease and preventing
dog bites
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The same vaccine is used to immunize
people after exposure or before exposure to the virus (less common).
Symptoms:
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Fever, Headache, Nausea, Vomiting
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Anxiety, Confusion, Hyperactivity,
Hallucinations, Insomnia
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Difficulty swallowing
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Excessive salivation
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Partial paralysis
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Fear brought on by attempts to drink
fluids because of difficulty swallowing water, etc.
Indian
Initiative for Rabies:
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National
Rabies Control Programme:
○
It was implemented in India during the
12th FYP for rabies control.
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National
Action Plan for Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination by 2030.