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Prevention from Rabies


Rabies may not be curable but it can be prevented quite easily. The most obvious method of prevention would be avoidance of any possible exposure to animals that could be carriers of the virus. This is not always practical but it does help to cautious by at least avoiding direct contact with strays and wild animals.

  • One of the best ways of preventing Rabies is to have your pets vaccinated against the disease. Regular vaccinations and checkups for pets are not just important to prevent disease, but are also mandatory in most states.
  • Make sure that your pets do not come in contact with strays and wild animals, as this poses a risk of infection not just with rabies, but other diseases as well. Never allow your pets out unsupervised.
  • Small pets should be kept in enclosed cages so that they are protected from wild animals. Since small animals like guinea pigs cannot be vaccinated, they must be kept protected.
  • Report any stray dogs or other wild animals to your local animal control authorities.
  • Rabid wild animals may appear unafraid of people, but this is uncharacteristic behavior caused by the disease and hence it is important to avoid approaching them. An infected animal may also display uncharacteristic aggression and while you may feel a need to calm and comfort the animal this may not be the best idea.
  • To prevent bats from entering your home, seal any holes or gaps. If you find that there are already bats in your home, contact an expert to figure out the best way to get them out.
  • If you need to travel to a country where rabies is prevalent, seek your doctor’s advice about whether you should undergo vaccination before making the journey.

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References
  1. Wolfgang Haupt, Rabies – risk of exposure and current trends in prevention of human cases, Vaccine, Volume 17, Issues 13–14, January 1999, Pages 1742-1749, ISSN 0264-410X, 10.1016/S0264-410X(98)00447-2.
  2. George M. Baer, 1 - The History of Rabies, In: Alan C. Jackson and William H. Wunner, Editor(s), Rabies (Second Edition), Academic Press, Oxford, 2007, Pages 1-22,I, ISBN 9780123693662, 10.1016/B978-012369366-2/50003-8.