about the importance of rabies prevention on the third annual World Rabies
Day on September 28.
The BVA's Overseas Group supported World Rabies Day by urging UK veterinary
surgeons to raise their clients' awareness of the implications of rabies
when they travel abroad.
"While we are used to discussing the risks of rabies to pets, most vets
probably know much less about the risks of rabies to humans," says Zoe
Belshaw, a member of the Overseas Group. "World Rabies Day is an ideal time
to promote understanding of this devastating but preventable disease."
The Overseas Group has produced some information on the disease which is
available on the BVA's website. It offers simple advice on reducing the risk
of contracting the disease and gives guidance on vaccination and wound
cleansing. It also aims to dispel some common misconceptions - such as that
a deep bite is necessary for the disease to be contracted. 'A lick on broken
skin or mucous membranes or a scratch from an infected animal is
sufficient,' it points out.
Rabies kills at least 55,000 people each year, half of whom are children
under the age of 15. "Rabies is primarily a disease of children, who are
particularly at risk from this terrible disease, due to their close contact
with dogs, the major global source," said Dr Deborah Briggs, Executive
Director of the Alliance for Rabies Control. "Children are more likely to
suffer multiple bites and scratches to the face and head, both of which
carry a higher risk of contracting rabies. Children are often unaware of the
danger that dogs transmit rabies and may not tell their parents when a bite,
lick or scratch has occurred from an infected animal."
The World Rabies Day initiative aims to bring together relevant partners in
an effort to address rabies prevention and control. "This is a coordinated
effort to let the world know that this disease can be readily prevented
through education, pet vaccination and increased human awareness of proper
wound management and administration of rabies vaccination after an exposure
has occurred," added Dr Briggs.
Visit the BVA website http://www.bva.co.uk for advice on many aspects of
animal care.
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