4 How to prevent rabies, a deadly disease from animal bites

Rabies is one of the deadly diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. This disease is very dangerous and can cause death. Therefore, let's find out how to prevent rabies in order to avoid its dangers.

What is rabies?

Rabies is a disease caused by a virus from the bite or scratch of an infected animal. RNA viruses from the family rhabdovirus which migrates to humans will later attack the central nervous system. Usually the virus enters the peripheral nervous system directly and then moves to the brain.

When the virus is in the nervous system, the brain becomes inflamed. If not treated promptly, this condition can lead to coma and death. In addition to attacking the nervous system, viruses can also reproduce in muscle tissue. As a result, you can experience paralysis.

The rabies virus is present in the saliva of animals. If the saliva of an infected animal enters and gets into any open sores you have through mucous membranes such as the eyes or mouth, you are at risk of developing rabies.

So, what animals can have the rabies virus? Generally, all warm-blooded animals can have the rabies virus. However, rabies virus is usually found most often in wild animals such as foxes, bats, and dogs and cats that are not vaccinated. In Indonesia alone, dogs are the animal that transmits the rabies virus the most.

Various ways to prevent rabies

Rabies is a very preventable disease. Here are some simple steps you can take to prevent rabies:

1. Vaccinating pets

Pets such as cats or dogs should be vaccinated. This is done so that the rabies virus does not attack your pet. Usually all dogs and cats older than four months are required to be vaccinated for rabies. Vaccines also generally need to be repeated once a year or as directed by a veterinarian.

2. Do not let pets roam outside alone

Although pets also have the right to breathe free air, for your safety, don't let them roam alone outside the house. This is because pets that are allowed to roam alone outside the house may interact with other animals that have rabies.

As a result, without your knowledge, animals contract rabies and risk passing it on to you. Therefore, always keep an eye on your pet for its health as well as for you as the owner.

3. Do not raise wild animals carelessly

Various wild animals are very susceptible to carrying the rabies virus. Therefore, don't just take it and keep it. Even though the animals look friendly, their instincts are still wild. Animals can bite and scratch you whenever they feel threatened. If you want to keep them, it's best to check with your vet first.

4. Avoid direct contact with wildlife

We recommend that you avoid direct contact with wild animals, both alive and dead. Try not to touch any wild animal with your bare hands. Especially if you feed him directly from your hand. In addition, if the animal is behaving abnormally, you should also stay away from it because of the possibility of having the rabies virus.