Rabies

Reporter:
Angelica A. Baes
BSN 2-C
 Introduction to
Rabies

 An acute viral encephalomyelitis caused by the

rabies virus, Rhabdovirus or Lyssavirus
 Fatal once signs and symptoms appear

 2
kinds:
A. Urban or canine rabies – transmitted by dogs
B. Sylvatic rabies – disease of wild
animals and bats which sometimes
spreads to dogs, cats and livestock
 Introduction to
Rabies

• Pototan, Iloilo had many Rabies cases in 2006.

• Approximately 300-600 Filipinos die of
Rabies every year

• The Philippines has one of the highest

prevalence rates in the whole world.
 Introduction to
Rabies

Infectious agent: Rhabdovirus or Lyssavirus

Mode of
transmission:
1. Inoculation of virus laden saliva from
the bite of a rabid animal (most
2. common)
Introduction of virus into a scratch or in
fresh breaks in the skin (very rare)
3. Man to man
4. Airborne
5. Organ transplant
 Introduction to
Rabies

Incubation period: 2-8 weeks but also depends on:

1. Severity of the wound
2. Distance of the wound from the CNS
3. Amount of virus introduced
4. Immune status of the victim
 Introduction to
Rabies

Period of Communicability:
3-10 days before onset of clinical signs and
throughout the duration of the disease, in dogs
and cats
Susceptibility and Resistance:
All warm-blooded mammals
 Introduction to
Rabies

Signs and Symptoms:

Sense of apprehension
Headache
Fever
Sensory change near site of bite
Spasms of muscles
Hydrophobi
Paralysis
a
Delirium and convulsions
 Introduction to
Rabies

• Without medical intervention, the rabies

victim would usually last for only 2-6 days.

 Death is often due to respiratory paralysis

 Introduction to
Rabies

Management or Prevention:

- Wash the wound with soap and water.

- Use antiseptics (povidone iodine or alcohol)
- Antibiotics and anti-tetanus immunization
- Active immunization or vaccination
- Passive immunization
- Consult a veterinarian or trained personnel to observe your pet
for 14 days
- Immunize pet at 3 months and every year thereafter
- Never allow pets to roam the streets
- Take care of your pet