Experts warned: “Early intervention after risky contact with rabies saves lives”

In the statement made by Aydın Provincial Directorate of Health on September 28, World Rabies Day, it was stated that “Early intervention after rabies risky contact saves lives”.

In the statement, it was stated that rabies is a zoonotic disease that threatens human health and is irreversible after the development of clinical symptoms and dramatically results in death, “It is known that rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease seen in more than 150 countries and regions in the world. In order to prevent human rabies cases in our country, prophylaxis practices before and after rabies-risk contact are carried out within the framework of the Ministry of Health Rabies Prophylaxis Guidelines. Early intervention after rabies risky contact saves lives.”

While it was noted that the World Health Organization declared September 28 as 'World Rabies Day' in order to understand the importance of rabies and raise awareness about the disease, “Rabies is a viral disease transmitted from animals to humans and is seen in wild mammals such as foxes, wolves and jackals and domestic mammals such as dogs, cats, cows, cows, sheep, goats and donkeys. The main route of transmission of rabies is through the bite of infected animals. It can also be transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal through compromised skin or mucous membranes. It is possible to prevent the disease when necessary precautions are taken after risky contact. After contact with a rabies risk, the disease can develop if the necessary precautions are not taken in time. Rabies is fatal for humans after the onset of symptoms. It is important that dogs and cats are vaccinated every year to prevent the disease from being transmitted to humans. We can protect our animals, ourselves and the community from rabies by having our dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies every year. After contact with rabies risk, the wound site should be washed immediately with plenty of water and soap for at least 15 minutes and then applied to the nearest health institution. If rabies immunization is deemed appropriate by the physician and the vaccination program is started, care should be taken to ensure that the vaccines and, if necessary, rabies antiserum are administered on time and in full.”

At the end of the statement, it was noted that rabies is a preventable disease, “Since it is not possible to treat the disease after the symptoms appear and it results in death, in case of suspected rabies contact, especially washing the wound with soap and water and applying to the nearest health institution is life-saving.”