As a parent, your child’s well-being is your top priority. One of the most common yet overlooked health concerns parents encounter, especially pet owners, is the risk of rabies.
Every year, approximately 59,000 people die from rabies, with one death occurring every nine minutes worldwide². Alarmingly, four out of ten of these deaths are children, mostly in Asia and Africa, making rabies largely a disease of children³.
What is Rabies, and How Is It Transmitted?
Rabies is an acute, progressive, and almost always fatal viral disease caused by the Rabies Virus (RABV) and other Lyssavirus species of the Rhabdoviridae family¹. It is transmitted through the bite, scratch, or lick on broken skin or mucous membranes of an infected animal⁴. This virus affects the central nervous system, leading to brain inflammation (encephalomyelitis), and once symptoms appear, it is 100% fatal.
Globally, dogs are the source of up to 99 percent of all rabies transmissions to humans⁵. Other animals, such as cats and bats, can also spread the virus.
Credit: Zuellig Pharma
In the Philippines, for instance, Region 3, Region 12, and Region 4A have consistently recorded the highest number of human rabies cases⁶, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance in communities where dog bites are common.
Understanding The Clinical Stages of Human Rabies
Rabies infection progresses through several stages⁷:
|
|---|
| Stage |
Description |
Usual Duration |
| Exposure |
Virus enters the body (bite or scratch) |
— |
| Incubation Period |
No symptoms yet; PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is effective at this stage |
20–90 days |
| Prodrome Phase |
Early symptoms like fever, headache, and discomfort |
2–10 days |
| Acute Neurologic Phase |
Anxiety, confusion, aggression, hydrophobia (fear of water) |
2–7 days |
| Coma and Death |
Rapid deterioration leading to death |
0–14 days |
Once clinical symptoms appear, death usually occurs within a few days⁷. Rabies vaccination is effective only during the incubation period.
Steps to Take If Your Child Is Bitten by a Pet or Suspected Rabid Animal
If you suspect your child has been exposed to rabies, act immediately.
Here are the critical steps to follow:
1. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
Use mild soap and running water for at least 15 minutes. This helps remove saliva and potential virus particles from the wound⁸.
2. Apply an antiseptic solution.
Apply povidone-iodine, alcohol, or another disinfectant to help kill remaining microorganisms⁸.
3. Seek medical attention immediately.
Visit the nearest health center or hospital for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), which includes the administration of rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin before symptoms develop⁸.
How to Recognize the Symptoms of Rabies
Symptoms typically appear within 2 to 12 weeks after exposure. Early recognition is crucial⁹.
Early Symptoms:
Advanced Symptoms:
Once neurological symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal⁹.
The Importance of Vaccinating Pets
Responsible pet ownership is one of the strongest defenses against rabies¹⁰. Vaccinating pets prevents them from contracting and transmitting the virus to humans.
Key Preventive Measures:
Keeping vaccination records updated protects both your pets and your family. Regular veterinary checkups and community vaccination drives are essential for maintaining herd immunity¹⁰.
Protecting Your Family from Rabies
Rabies is entirely preventable, yet it remains one of the world’s most deadly viral infections. By staying informed, ensuring timely vaccinations, and acting swiftly after potential exposure, parents can safeguard their children from this deadly disease.
Let us continue to promote responsible pet ownership, community vaccination, and awareness because prevention is always better than cure.
-
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Clinical overview of rabies. https://www.cdc.gov/rabies
-
Hampson, K., et al. (2015). Estimating the global burden of endemic canine rabies. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 9(4), e0003709. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0003709
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World Health Organization. (2024). Rabies fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies
-
World Health Organization. (2024). Rabies transmission overview. https://www.who.int/health-topics/rabies
-
World Health Organization. (2024). Rabies: Dogs and transmission statistics. https://www.who.int
-
Department of Health Epidemiology Bureau. (2024). Epidemic-prone disease case surveillance morbidity: Week No. 48. Department of Health, Philippines.
-
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Clinical overview of rabies: Stages and incubation period. https://www.cdc.gov/rabies
-
Zuellig Pharma. (2024). Rabies awareness and prevention materials. Zuellig Pharma Educational Campaign.
-
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Signs and symptoms of rabies infection. https://www.cdc.gov/rabies
-
Food and Agriculture Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health, World Health Organization, & Global Alliance for Rabies Control. (2024). United against rabies: Vaccinate to stop transmission.
-
World Health Organization. (2024). Pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis guidelines for rabies prevention. https://www.who.int
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