CAMPAIGN AGAINST RABIES

 CAMPAIGN AGAINST RABIES

In ancient time, over 10, 000 years ago, before the domestication of cats and ruminants, dogs had long been domesticated by humans.

The wild wolf, after some millennium of living with man, had adjusted its wild features to fit into the domestic world and becoming part of the human family. Therefore, protection and provision for their existence became an unavoidable duty of human.

 Following the act to avoid extinction of a dear friend, a preventive measure and approach against one of the most alarming and noisome epidemic diseases common to canines, especially dogs, was carried out on the 22nd-23rd March 2022 by the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Ibadan. Campaign against Rabies disease. 

Doctors from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine were present at different locations where the free vaccination of dogs against rabies was enacted as dogs were injected with the Anti-Rabies Vaccine.

Dog owners from within and outside the University environment brought their dogs for the free vaccination process as they were also issued certificates to authenticate vaccination.

What is Rabies?

Dr Akinrinde from the department of Veterinary Biochemistry, University of Ibadan responding to this, elucidated on Rabies as he mentioned that Rabies is a viral disease of dogs and other canines, from the Family: Rhabdoviridea, Genus: Lyssavirus and Species: Rabies lyssavirus; also a neurotropic virus that is transmitted by nerves through into the Central Nervous System following a bite by an infected dog. It is a Zoonotic disease transmissible to human by infected dog or canine species.  Furthermore, the clinical signs as he mentioned are lack of coordination, saliva drooling and muscle tremor.

He also mentioned that dogs are not only to be vaccinated as humans are also susceptible to the infection, which implies that there are vaccines available for human to be administered by human medical practitioners against the virus.

Prevention of rabies in the general public requires sensitization of dog owners on what rabies is all about, how to avoid and the endemic tendencies should it breaks into the human niche as it is known to be zoonotic (transmissible to human).

Rounding up the short consultation, Dr Akinrinde talking about the prevention of rabies stated that, routine vaccination of dogs will go a long way to cub cases of rabies to the finest minimum and in the long run eradicate the disease from the society. Also, the anti-rabies vaccine is said to be active in the body of dog for at least 12months after inoculation, which is also said to vary in its potency depending on the immunity of the patient.

Dr Awosanya from the Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine while responding to the short questioning on Rabies at large, continued by stating the different forms of Rabies: the furious and paralytic (dumb) forms. Furthermore, as he explained vividly, he buttressed on the different forms of which could be likened to the symptoms and clinical signs shown by the infected dog. Very apparent in diagnosis is hydrophobia (fear of water) common to every form of the disease, whether paralytic or furious and the behaviour of the infected dog as against its regular behaviour, he said.

 For the dumb form, an excited/aggressive dog may become less excited and dull, while a usually calm dog starts acting wild and very aggressive for the furious form, he stated.

As he progressed, he expatiated on the fact according different animals that can house the virus, stating clearly that since the virus is present in the saliva, infected dogs may transmit the virus without having to bite the victim, whether human or animal, but also through droplets of saliva from infected dog on open wounds or scratches by infected dog or cat following saliva droplets on wound surface.

Dr Awosanya ended the chat, giving preventive advice on rabies as avoiding bites from cats and dogs which are prime suspects. 

Correspondents from the Veterinary New Organization University of Ibadan came up with a survey involving dog owners as regards the Anti-rabies campaign to ascertain the level of education they have about the disease. 

Many dog owners who came for the free vaccination responded that they have not experienced rabies at any time. While further interviewing, some said they are getting to hear about rabies for the first time. Some also claimed not to understand what rabies means.

To know whether they believe the disease exists or not, 50% agreed to the fact that the virus really exists as one person didn’t believe, but for the fear of the unseen, brought his dog for vaccination.

It was concluded from the broad survey that less than 50% of dog owners understands and believes what rabies is all about.