The rabies virus

Rabies is a disease of warm-blooded (human and animal), extremely rare in rodents. It is distributed practically all over the world. Called by a rhabdovirus.

Serological assays strains are not divided immediately, because there are varieties of viruses. The rabies virus, regardless of the variety, is sensitive to various emulsifiers with solvents (including to a solution of ammonium and soap). Destroyed in light, at high temperatures, but stable at temperatures lowered. Can survive for a long time under normal conditions. Each species has its own susceptibility to the virus.

The virus of rabies is transmitted with infected saliva, penetrating through the damaged skin, or with a bite. Unique cases of infection of airborne droplets were recorded, as well as when animals were eating contaminated meat.

The incubation period is stretched and individual for each warm-blooded person. For example, in cats, it lasts from 9 days to one and a half months, the dogs are stretched even more - from 9 days to 4 months, and sometimes continues even up to six months. It is believed that the closer the brain to the place of bite, the shorter the period.

The course of the disease proceeds according to the scheme:

- prodromal period;
The very stage of rabies;
- mute phase (paralysis).

The prodromal period lasts about two days and is characterized by a change in behavior. The animal is irritable, restless, sometimes even pugnacious. Can rush for no reason or, conversely, be hammered into dark places. The sight is missing. It is possible to dilate the pupils, try to gnaw the infection site, increase the temperature.

At the stage of excitation, the animal tries to dominate, becomes even more irritable and angrier. There is a disorientation and the same absent look. Coordination is disturbed, muscular tremor and lethargy are noticeable, muscles are convulsively contracted. The animal loses its sense of fear, grabs and bites anyone caught in the way. Often there is drooling.

With a mute phase, swallowing muscles become paralyzed, salivation increases, coughing attacks appear. Movements are even more disjointed, convulsions begin. Next - a coma and death.

It is easier to diagnose the disease already in the second stage. In the early days, rabies results usually do not give results. The diagnosis determines the results of autopsy. Sometimes the virus is isolated from the brain, spleen and tonsils.

If a rabies virus is suspected, the animal must be detained or called by the veterinary service representative. Be extremely careful! Be sure to write down the names and coordinates of those in contact with the animal. If the animal is killed or died, the head and neck are taken to the laboratory for compulsory examination. This should be done by veterinary staff. Remember: the rabies virus is extremely dangerous. Do not directly contact a suspicious animal. Do not provide first aid. Do not try to calm and caress. All bites inflicted by wild (or stray) animals are considered as potentially dangerous.

Treatment depends on the type and nature of the transfer (bite, oslubnenie), the severity of the damage, the state of the bitten animal. If a person is infected (or suspected), an anti - rabies vaccination course should be taken . In the early stages, the rabies virus is successfully treated. Postpone the examination is impossible, - with progressive rabies, the outcome is lethal.

If there is a suspicion that rabies virus in an animal, contact veterinarians and your doctor immediately (even if the animal is vaccinated). Stray animals are subject to destruction.

Vaccination has long been used as a preventive measure. Two types of vaccines are used: modified live and inactivated. Live vaccine can not be administered to animals suffering from FFV infection, leukemia, with weak immunity, otherwise postvaccination rabies may develop. Now more often use inactivated vaccine. Animals are vaccinated only after three months from birth, followed by mandatory annual revaccination. Immunity develops only after a month. However, it will be superfluous to remind: even the vaccinated animal is not immune from the disease.