Rabies Transmission and Prevention Quiz

Rabies is a viral zoonotic disease affecting the central nervous system, caused by Lyssa virus type 1. It leads to inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, ultimately causing death.

Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, usually dogs, cats, and wolves, often through bites or scratches. In rare cases, it can also be spread through licks on open wounds.

Rabies has two main forms: Furious rabies, characterized by hyperactivity, hallucinations and aggression, and Paralytic rabies, which causes muscle weakness, paralysis, and coma.

Rabies is a preventable disease with vaccines and medicines. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is available for people at risk, while post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can prevent infection after a bite.

Rabies is a significant global health problem, particularly in developing countries. Most cases occur in Africa and Asia, with children under 15 years of age being most vulnerable.

Rabies is caused by the Lyssa virus type 1, which is an RNA virus belonging to the Rhabdoviridae family.

Dog-mediated rabies, where dogs are the primary source of human infection, can be eliminated by controlling infected dogs. This includes awareness campaigns, proper animal vaccination, and post-bite treatment.

A rabies-free area is identified based on no reported cases of locally acquired rabies in humans or animals for the past 2 years, with proper surveillance and regulations.

The saliva of rabid animals is the primary source of infection for humans.

All mammals are susceptible to rabies, but not everyone bitten develops the disease. About 40% of those bitten and untreated develop clinical rabies.

Rabies is primarily spread through animal bites. Licks on broken skin or mucous membranes can also be dangerous. Aerosols from bat caves and rare human-to-human transmission are additional risks.

The time between a rabies exposure and the appearance of symptoms can vary greatly. Usually, it takes 3-8 weeks, but it can be as short as 4 days or as long as multiple years.

The incubation period for rabies can be shorter in cases of severe exposure, bites in the head, neck, face or upper extremities, and when a wild animal is the source.

Rabies can be confirmed by detecting the rabies virus in skin biopsies, saliva, and other bodily fluids.

The initial symptoms of rabies include headache, fatigue, sore throat, and mild fever. These are followed by a phase of nervous system excitation, manifesting as sensitivity to noise and light, fear of air, and hydrophobia.

Preventive measures include vaccinating dogs and cats in areas where rabies is common, monitoring animal populations for rabies, and quarantining animals that have bitten people. If rabies is confirmed in an animal, it's usually fatal.

Negri bodies are microscopic structures found in the brain cells of animals infected with rabies. Detecting these bodies under a microscope helps confirm a rabies diagnosis.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis involves vaccinating individuals at high risk of rabies with three doses of cell culture vaccine. The first dose is given on day 0, followed by doses on days 7 and 21 or 28. Booster doses are recommended every 2 years to maintain protection.

If you are exposed to rabies through an animal bite, post-exposure prophylaxis is crucial. It includes wound care, chemical treatment, and vaccination.

The most effective method of post-exposure prophylaxis is wound cleansing. This involves washing the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Virucidal agents like alcohol and iodine can also be applied to kill the virus.

Antibiotics and tetanus shots are often given to prevent secondary infections after an animal bite.

If the animal that bit you cannot be observed, if it's a wild animal, or if an unprovoked bite occurred, post-exposure prophylaxis is necessary. Immediate care is also needed if the animal shows signs of rabies or dies within 10 days.

For individuals who have been previously vaccinated against rabies, post-exposure prophylaxis depends on their existing antibody levels and the severity of the bite. If the antibody level is unknown or the bite is severe, three doses of vaccine are given on days 0, 3, and 7. If the antibody level is high and the bite is less severe, two doses on days 0 and 3 are sufficient.

If the biting animal is observed for 10 days and shows no signs of rabies, then post-exposure rabies treatment is not needed. However, if the animal dies within 10 days, or if you are unsure of the animal's status, post-exposure prophylaxis is essential.

Exposure of intact skin to saliva from a potentially rabid animal, such as a lick. This category of exposure is considered low risk and usually doesn't require immediate treatment.

Exposure involving minor scratches or abrasions on the skin without bleeding, as well as licks on broken skin. Treatment involves administering the rabies vaccine and observing the animal's health over 10 days.

This is the most serious category of rabies exposure, involving bites, scratches that penetrate the skin, and contamination of mucous membranes with saliva from an animal. This category requires immediate vaccination and a dose of immunoglobulin.

Dog vaccination is a key approach to eliminating rabies. By protecting dogs, we protect humans.

Every year, over 29 million people receive the rabies vaccination after a possible exposure. This saves thousands of lives.

Rabies is a global health problem, costing an estimated US$ 8.6 billion annually.

The "United Against Rabies" initiative aims to eliminate human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.

The WHO, along with other organizations, has launched a global framework to reach zero human rabies deaths by 2030.

Through mass dog vaccinations and managing bites, Bangladesh has seen a 50% decrease in rabies deaths in 2010–2013.

Rabies is a zoonotic disease meaning it spreads from animals to humans, requiring coordination between human and animal health sectors.