Diseases
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Diseases
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Rabies is an acute, fatal encephalomyelitis caused by neurotropic viruses in the family Rhabdoviridae, genus Lyssavirus, almost always transmitted by an animal bite that inoculates the virus into wounds.
Rabies is found on all continents, except Antarctica. In certain areas of the world, canine rabies remains highly endemic, including (but not limited to) parts of Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. The disease is also found in dogs in most of the other countries of Africa, Asia, and Central and South America.
Manifestation: The incubation period may vary from a few days to several years, but is typically 1 to 3 months. The disease progresses from a non-specific prodromal phase to
Diagnose and treatment: Virus is demonstrated in saliva, serum, spinal fluid, and skin biopsies of hair follicles at the nape of the neck. There is no treatment for rabies after symptoms of the disease appear. However, two decades ago scientists developed an extremely effective new rabies vaccine regimen that provides immunity to rabies when administered after an exposure. Only 15 % of patients infected will develop rabies. Treatment can also be with purified equine rabies immune globulin (ERIG) has been used effectively in developing countries where human rabies immune globulin (RIG) might not have been available.
Vaccination: rabies vaccine may be recommended for international travellers based on the local incidence of rabies in the country to be visited.
Prevent rabies by:
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