“Rabies is a 100% fatal disease and hence one must be very careful when one comes in contact with rabies virus,” said Dr Julian Saldanha, ex RMO and senior consultant and physician of Government Wenlock Hospital during Hallo Wenlock programme at Radio Sarang on August 5.

Dr Saldanha said that while pets are good for humans, one must be careful with pets and look after them well. Every domestic pet must be vaccinated for rabies every six months, he added.

He further said that every dog bite could be the end of a person. “Rabies is a dangerous transmitted disease from animals to hot blooded animals (including human). This spreads through a small delicate RNA virus. This virus dies in hot sun and soap water wash. But the negligence of an individual pushes him to the death,” he said. However, he also said that proper treatment and precautions could save life.

Rabies spreads through all mammals, but majority of it (90%) spreads through dogs. Cat, rat an other animals contribute the rest of the spread, he said. If someone consumes the milk of infected cow by boiling, there is no chance of contracting rabies. But drinking directly is dangerous, Dr Saldanha said.

Rabies always spreads from a sufferer dog’s saliva. It could be a bite, or licking by an infected animal. It's important that everyone stops kissing the pet, he cautioned. Once a person contracts rabies, it is a very painful situation. Such a person is afraid of water and breeze, he pointed.

He also explained about the three grades of bites in which several types of measures are to be taken. The vaccine is given on 0-3-7-14-28 day intervals. In some cases, the incubation period is minimum, he said. 

“Vaccination plays a major role in saving life. So never delay in vaccinating and never ignore if you get a dog bite,” Dr Saldanha advised.

Many listeners called and cleared their doubts.

- Roshan Crasta, Radio Sarang