The Department of Infection Control of the State Institution "TMA of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in Chernihiv Oblast" warns:

"In Vinnytsia region, for the first time in 15 years, a case of death from rabies was recorded"

these were the headlines in the news last week. Although in 99% of cases, rabies is caused by animals from the canine family (wolves, foxes), this time the cause of the infection was a domestic cat.  The woman did not attach much importance to the fact that the cat disappeared after biting its owner.

Remember:  When clinical symptoms appear, rabies is almost 100% fatal!

In order to draw attention to the problems of the spread of this disease, as well as its terrible consequences, the UN launched World Rabies Day on September 28. This date is dedicated to the death of the French microbiologist Louis Pasteur, who created the first rabies vaccine in history.

Rabies is a particularly dangerous viral disease of all warm-blooded animals and humans.

The causative agent of rabies is a virus that lives and multiplies only in a living organism, in particular in the brain and spinal cord. A large amount of it accumulates in the salivary glands.

The source of infection for humans can be any warm-blooded animal. According to the WHO, in 99% of cases of human illness and death from rabies, the source of the pathogen is dogs and cats. In Ukraine, it is cats in 50% of cases. About 40% of victims of bites from dogs suspected of having rabies are children under the age of 15. Bites of badgers, hedgehogs, raccoons, raccoon dogs, martens, ferrets, weasels, wolves, and bats are also dangerous; cats and dogs are most often affected by rabies among domestic animals.

 The infection is transmitted by animal bites, donkeys, scratches, or wounds caused by objects contaminated with saliva and the brain of a sick animal. Less commonly, infection is possible when skinning rabid animals, especially foxes.

If you are bitten or bruised, the only effective way to save yourself is to wash the wound (bite site) well with soap and water, seek medical attention, and get vaccinated.

To protect yourself and others from rabies:

you should follow the established rules for keeping pets (dogs, cats) and bring your pets to the veterinary hospital at your place of residence for preventive rabies vaccinations every year;
in cases of changes in the behavior of a pet, injuries from another animal, or death without apparent cause, it is necessary to contact a veterinary specialist to establish observation or find out the cause of the animal's death;
remind the child of the need to inform adults in case of even minor injuries caused by animals;
do not pick up a wild and unattended animal in the forest, on the street, or find an opportunity to show it to a veterinarian and get it vaccinated against rabies in a short time;
do not get rid of an animal that has bitten or scratched a person. If possible, it should be monitored for ten days;
The world has vaccines, tools, and technologies to break the cycle of one of the oldest diseases. Together in unity, we can eliminate rabies. Remember: Your health and the health of your pets are in your hands!