September 28 is World Rabies Day. It is estimated that 70,000 people die each year throughout the world from this preventable and curable illness.
Rabies is uncommon in humans in the United States. It is found in a number of animal populations. In New York, raccoons, bats and skunks are the primary carriers. Through the end of July, New York had seen 180 positive tests for rabies in animals, and two of those were from the Rochester / Monroe County area. The Centers for Disease Control report that New York has notified them of 271 cases of animal rabies in upstate New York and 9 cases in New York City through September 17, 2011.
On August 31, Spc. Kevin R. Shumaker died of rabies in a Syracuse, N.Y. hospital. Assigned to Fort Drum in upstate New york, the soldier had been bitten by a dog while deployed in Afghanistan eight months ago. It is unclear why medical treatment failed.
Rabies is a viral illness that attacks the central nervous system. The most common way for humans to contract the illness is through the bite of an infected animal. Other types of contact can also transmit rabies.
Most states and localities in the U.S. require that dogs receive a regular rabies immunization. In many places cats have also beeen required to be immunized. New York requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets be immunized.
A vaccine exists for humans. Veterinarians and other people who frequently come into contact with animals can receive the human rabies vaccine. It does not prevent the illness but it lessens the course of treatment required if the person is exposed.
Any exposure site, a bite or contact, should immediately be thoroughly washed with soap and water. Treatment after an exposure to rabies consists of a number of injections. The treatment used to require painful injections to the abdoman but they are now given into a muscle, usually the upper arm. Only a physician can determine if the contact requires treatment and one should be consulted as soon as possible.
Comments