Health department appeals for necessary vaccinations for pets to avoid rabies
Anti-rabies vaccine is the only way to prevent dog bite
Raipur. 20 July 2022
A dog, monkey or other animal bite can be dangerous. In such cases, a person can become a victim of rabies due to negligence. In case of dog or monkey bite, immediately get treatment from the nearest doctor and get rabies vaccine. People in rural areas often start taking home remedies for dog or monkey bites. This increases the risk of rabies. Rabies can even kill a person.
Rabies is a virus that is usually spread through animal bites. Its symptoms take a long time to appear and if it is late, it can also be fatal. If people become aware of this in time, then to a great extent it can be avoided. To prevent rabies, the wound caused by an animal bite should be immediately washed with soap or antiseptic with running water for 15 to 20 minutes. The Health Department has appealed to the domestic pet dog, cat or other animals to get the necessary vaccinations to avoid rabies. Dogs should be vaccinated at three months of age. An additional dose should also be given every three years depending on the type of vaccine.
State Nodal Officer for Rabies Control Dr. Dharmendra Gahvai said that once rabies occurs, it cannot be avoided. Information about prevention and management of rabies is given by doctors in all government hospitals of the state. Rabies is a deadly disease. Lives can be saved by getting timely treatment and getting the anti-rabies vaccine. Rabies vaccine is provided free of cost in primary health centres, community health centers and district hospitals. 97 percent of rabies cases are caused by the bite of an infected dog. In addition to infected dogs, the disease can also be transmitted by biting or nailing a cat, monkey, mongoose, fox, jackal or other wild animal.
Anti-rabies vaccine must be administered within 72 hours of dog bite. If a person is not vaccinated during this period, a person can become vulnerable to rabies. Once rabies occurs, there is no cure for it. If the wound is not very deep after the bite of a wild animal, then wash it with soap for at least fifteen minutes. After this clean thoroughly with betadine and do not cover the wound. If the wound is very deep, then get it cleaned immediately after consulting a doctor.
Get your pet dogs vaccinated against rabies at home. If a dog’s saliva accidentally falls on a wound, it can also cause rabies. Do not ignore licking, nailing or biting wounds by animals. Once a patient is infected with rabies, there is no cure for it. However, some relief can be provided to the patient through treatment. One should immediately contact the doctor for timely treatment. Complete vaccination should be done on time as per doctor’s advice.
