Page 29 - Dainfern Precinct Living 7 2021
P. 29
HEALTH STORY TITLE& WELLNESS
Whether Furious
or Paralytic,
Rabies is no joke
BY CASEY BROWN
Rabies is an infectious (NICD). Once the symptoms victim’s body through a bite or
neurological disease become evident, there is no a scratch, or via the mucous
affecting the brain and cure, she says. This applies to all membrane of the eyes, nose or
mouth. The problem is, the virus
mammals, including humans.
is almost always fatal to It’s not all doom and gloom, can lie dormant in the victim’s
both people and animals. however, as rabies is body for weeks (possibly up to
preventable, provided six months) before
ontrary to popular belief, animals receive regular the symptoms
the most fatal disease rabies vaccinations. become
Cknown to mankind is evident.
not the COVID-19 virus – it’s HOW IS RABIES
rabies. This is according to TRANSMITTED?
Jacqueline Weyer, Senior Medical Domestic animals
Scientist at the National Institute will most likely
of Communicable Diseases contract the disease
through a bite from a
wild animal. If they are allowed to
run freely on a farm or in a game WHAT ARE THE
reserve, they may be attacked SYMPTOMS?
by a rabid animal. This applies In animals, one of the most
not only to dogs and cats, but tell-tale signs is foaming at the
extends to cows and horses, mouth or excessive drooling.
too. The kinds of wild animals The animal will have difficulty
that might be carriers in our swallowing and may develop a
countryside would be jackals, fever. From there, the disease
foxes, badgers, monkeys and either progresses to Furious
bats, amongst others. Rabies or Paralytic Rabies.
In Furious Rabies, the animal
The disease is transmitted becomes restless and irritable.
through the saliva of an infected It may become over-sensitive
Badgers and bats might be carriers. animal that either enters the to light, noise and movement,
2 27
DPL
