1,088 seek medical assistance in Bishkek over rabies risks for 5 months

AKIPRESS.COM - Some 1,088 people were exposed to risk of rabies for 5 months in Bishkek, including 347 children under 14 years, the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Control Center said.
Rabies or hydrophobia is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the brain in humans and mammals and spreads with a bite of an infected animal. Saliva from an infected animal can also transmit rabies if the saliva comes into contact with the eyes, mouth, or nose
Wolves, foxes, jackals, bats among wild animals, dogs and cats among domestic animals are main sources of infection. The rare sources of infection are horses, cattle, pigs, rats and others.
The rabies vaccine and sometimes rabies immunoglobulin are effective in preventing the disease if the person receives the treatment before the start of rabies symptoms. Washing bites and scratches for 15 minutes with soap and water, povidone-iodine, or detergent may reduce the number of viral particles and may be somewhat effective at preventing transmission.
Rabies vaccination is free. It can be obtained at the trauma point of the Sport Rehabilitation Center in Bishkek open around the clock.