World Rabies Day May Not Eliminate Rabies In Pakistan

World Rabies Day may not eliminate rabies in Pakistan but it will at least be an earnest beginning to raise the level of public awareness.

HYDERABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Sep, 2018 ) :World Rabies Day may not eliminate rabies in Pakistan but it will at least be an earnest beginning to raise the level of public awareness.

This year the theme for the day is 'Rabies, Share the message. Save a life'. This highlights the importance of education and awareness to prevent rabies.

Talking to APP here on Thursday, on the "World Rabies Day ", Former District Health Officer Dr.Ahmed Hyder said that rabies a severe problem in all over the Pakistan and our public sector hospitals must have 24 hour emergency facility for treatment of dog bite cases.

He said that instantiation is the major cause for growth of dogs and stressed on citywide regular campaigns against dogs and removal of garbage.

Dr.Ahmed Hyder said that rabies was not a problem being faced only by Pakistan, but also by other countries of the region, including India and Iran. "It is necessary for doctor to properly assess the rabies patient, analyze the case and determine the required dose accordingly, keeping in mind that a smaller than required dose will be ineffective," Dr.Ahmed Hyder said.

He emphasized on creating awareness regarding urgency of treatment, saying that rabies patients must rush for appropriate treatment.

He also called for elimination of stray dogs by municipal administrations.

He said that rabies virus was not carried in blood and only intermittently in saliva, CNS, fluid, urine and some tissues. The patients should be handled in a private and quiet area where all staff should enter with gowns, goggles, masks and gloves. "This is particularly important when intubations and suctioning are performed," he added.

Dr.Ahmed Hyder said disastrous disease rabies virus transmitted from dog or any other animal in to the human through bite, which directly attack on brain.

He said after diagnosing the disease, it became difficult to save the life of the patient.

He described the symptoms of the rabies, which included irritation, breathing problem, fear from light, shivering and etc.

Dr.Ahmed Hyder said that rabies occurs after the bite of a rabid animal, usually a dog. This disease is always fatal and there is no treatment available in the world once the disease sets in. Although this disease is fatal yet, taking prompt wound care and using standard vaccines in time can prevent it, he added.

Dr.Ahmed Hyder further said that the Government should consider ensuring the local manufacture of the vaccine. But until that happens, it should have a sufficient quantity of these imported as they are urgently needed to save lives. The quality and efficacy of the vaccine are important considerations in treating a condition that can prove fatal unless treated with the right kind of vaccine, added.

Dr.Ahmed Hyder stressed promotion of the WHO-recommended post-exposure prophylaxis vaccine in treating patients of rabies, a fatal disease yet preventable if a victim is administered this vaccine immediately after his is bitten by dog.

Dr.Ahmed also emphasized, civic authorities along with veterinarians must take effective steps to control stray dog population according to WHO recommendations.

He said that rabies is a fatal disease and urged that and there is a dire need of launching a comprehensive campaign to educate the general public in this regard.

He urged the government to declare rabies a healthcondition in the country to help eradicate the disease.