By Adadareporters
Rabies is a virus that is deadly to humans, and can only be treated by experts using anti-rabies medication.
Dr Ukamaka Eze, head of department, Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, gave the advice while sensitising the public on the need to vaccinate their dogs against the virus.
Eze cautioned against patronising native doctors or herbalists when bitten by dogs, saying ‘anybody bitten should report to trained health personnel who will administer anti-rabies injections to the victim’.
She said, “The virus begins to manifest when it is too late. Many will claim the victim is possessed by evil spirits. If bitten by a dog, go to hospitals for immediate vaccination. The vaccine will be administered to equip the victim with the antibodies to fight the virus when it wants to invade human immunity. If it begins to manifest, there is usually little one can do.”
World Rabies Day is held on 28 September every year to raise awareness on dangers of rabies and the need to eradicate the virus through vaccination.
Rabies is a preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system of mammals, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. The vast majority of rabies cases occur in wild animals like dogs, bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes, although any mammal can get rabies.
