After being attacked by a stray animal, it is only natural to worry about the possibility of rabies – an acute infectious viral disease that attracts attention due to its high mortality rate, which is close to 100%. Infection occurs through a bite, lick, or scratch from a mammal. In addition to dogs and cats, animals such as horses, pigs, oxen, bats, and marmosets can also transmit the disease.
In the current epidemiological scenario of rabies in Brazil, there is a decrease in rabies cases in humans caused by canine variants of the virus and maintenance of the chain of transmission with cases caused by viral variants of wild origin, such as bats and wild dogs, such as fox.
protection
Although the infection is serious, it can be avoided by taking some simple measures. After being attacked by an animal, the first course of action should be to wash the site of the injury with soap and water to remove any dirt, including contaminated saliva.
Soon after, the person should seek the nearest basic health unit. During the consultation, the health professional will assess the condition and indicate the appropriate preventive treatment, depending on the severity of the injury and the type of animal that caused the injury.
Post-exposure prophylaxis
According to Sesa’s immunization coordinator, Anna Karen Burgess, the vaccine is indicated for anyone who has been scratched or bitten by an unknown animal (dog or cat) – unmonitored or with signs suggestive of rabies – wild animals, farm mammals (such as horses, cattle and pigs) and bats .
The post-exposure rabies vaccination regimen consists of four doses, given over two weeks. “For any post-exposure prophylaxis plan in which a vaccine is indicated, it is essential to administer the component promptly and in a timely manner, as well as to ensure that the scheme is completed,” Burgess confirms.
Rabies antiserum is recommended for serious accidents caused by mammalian animals at high risk of rabies virus transmission. This biologic immunoglobulin is usually given along with the rabies vaccine, within seven days after the first dose of the vaccine.
According to infection doctor Christian Takeda, the vaccine helps the body produce special proteins called antibodies, which fight the virus if a person is exposed to it. “The serum already provides antibodies that can help fight the virus even before the body has had time to produce its own,” he explains.
After this period, the vaccine will provide the necessary protection.
national shortage
Brazil is going through a period of shortage of anti-rabies vaccine. The World Health Organization (WHO) specifies that when access to anti-rabies serum cannot be guaranteed for all persons with high exposure, this immunobiology can be used sparingly and given priority in higher-risk situations, to be assessed individually.
Therefore, it is up to the specialist in the primary health unit to analyze each case and determine the most appropriate behaviour.
It is important to remember that in cases of superficial lesions not caused by bats or other wild animals, the vaccination is able to provide adequate protection for the organism. Ana Karen Borges confirms that “a complete vaccination programme, carried out in accordance with medical guidelines, is more than 99% effective”.
