Over 59,000 people die from rabies every year with the majority of those deaths in Africa and Asia. In most cases a bite from a rabies infected dog is the cause.
Asia and Africa See the Most Deaths from Rabies
In Asia and Africa dogs are the principal host for the rabies virus (rabies lyssavirus).
Feral dogs have become a huge problem in India with an estimated 35 million stray dogs in 2018 according to the World Hearth Organization (WHO). Approximately one third of the worldwide deaths each year due to rabies occur in India.
Dog Rabies Eradicated in US
For North America and many European countries the strain of rabies that infects dogs has been completely eradicated by virtue of vaccination and licensing policies.
In 2007 the CDC reported that canine rabies had been eradicated in the United States.
However, rabies is still found in in the US in raccoons, skunks, and bats as well as other wild animals.
In the United States bats are the most common rabies vector for people but it is still rare. Approximately 3 people die from rabies each year in the united states. However, doctors administer over 30,000 post-exposure vaccines, mostly as precautionary measures.
Oral Rabies Vaccinations
In a effort to reduce rabies in wildlife the USDA administers the Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV). Each year more than 6.5 million baits containing oral rabies vaccine are distributed by helicopter or airplane in selected states in an effort to reduce rabies in the raccoon populations.
Rabies Free Zones
There are some parts of the world that are rabies free. The United Kingdom reported they eradicated rabies in 1922. Australia and New Zealand are also rabies free and never had rabies. There is a closely related virus called Australian Bat Lyssavirus which has caused at least 3 human deaths since 1996.
Rabies Lyssavirus – Ancient and Terrifying
Lyssavirus is named for Lyssa the Greek goddess of mad rage and fury. Rabies has been terrifying populations for thousands of years. It is one of the oldest known diseases with the first written record from Babylon over 4000 years ago.
Rabies is zoonotic disease which means that the pathogen jumped from animals to humans. Other zoonotic diseases include most strains of the flu, salmonella, and Ebola.
The transmission of rabies occurs most commonly through the saliva of infected animals. Rabies lyssavirus can infect a wide range of mammals. However, rats, rabbits, squirrels and birds are generally not carriers.
Most infected animals die within a few weeks but some species can be asymptomatic for up to 5 years.
Rabies is a neurotropic virus which means it infects the nerve cells. From the nerve cells the virus spreads to the brain. High concentrations of the virus accrue in the salivary glands of the mouth which allow for further transmission.
Symptoms
The first symptoms of rabies infection in humans are flu like with fever, headache, and muscle weakness. Progression of the disease may take one of two different forms, furious rabies or paralytic rabies. Furious rabies symptoms include erratic behavior confusion, delirium, and hallucination. This form may progress to include fear of water which is why rabies was once called hydrophobia. Paralytic rabies is just as severe but slowly paralyzes the individual until they go into a coma.
Treatment and Vaccine
Treatment for rabies infections in humans is effective as long as administered before symptoms appear.
The treatment is a series of injections which in the past was up to 30 very painful shots. Current shots are less painful and is only 4 sessions.
Pre-exposure vaccines for people are available. However, because of the high cost and multiple doses they are generally only administered to people who are at high risk. Consequently veterinarians, and people who work in areas where they are likely to come into contact with rabid animals are often administered the pre-exposure vaccines.
Goal to Eradicate Rabies in Dogs Worldwide
Because 99% of the estimated 59,000 deaths caused by rabies is from dog bites the World Health Organization has a set a goal to eliminate dog-mediated rabies from the world by the year 2030.
United Against Rabies is a partnership of over 150 countries to rid the world of one of the oldest diseases known to man.
A coordinated effort of the World health Organization, the UN Food and Agriculture organization, the World Organization for Animal Health, and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control make it possible that this terrifying disease will be eradicated from the world.
