ഓറിയന്റല് ഓര്ത്തഡോക്സ് കുടുംബത്തിലെ ഇരുസഭകളും തമ്മിലുള്ള ചരിത്രപരമായ ബന്ധം കൂടുതല് മെച്ചപ്പെടുത്തുന്നത് സംബന്ധിച്ച് സഭാതലവന്മാര് ചര്ച്ച നടത്തി. എത്യോപ്യന്-ഇന്ത്യന് ഓര്ത്തഡോക്സ് സഭകളുടെ വൈദിക സെമിനാരികളില് ഇരുസഭകളിലെയും വിദ്യാര്ത്ഥികള്ക്ക് പഠിക്കുന്നതിനുള്ള സാധ്യതകള് പരിശോധിക്കുമെന്ന് പരിശുദ്ധ കാതോലിക്കാ ബാവാ കൂടിക്കാഴ്ച്ചയില് പറഞ്ഞു.
WORLD RABIES DAY-
SEPTEMBER 28
World Rabies Day was
first observed on 28 September 2007, following an initiative by the Global
Alliance for Rabies Control and its partners. The date was selected to
commemorate the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur, the French scientist whose
research played a major role in developing the first rabies vaccine. Since its
launch, the day has become an annual global observance dedicated to keeping
rabies on the public health agenda.
Rabies is a
life-threatening infectious disease, spread through the bite or scratch of an
infected animal. However, unlike many other fatal infections, there is a chance
to prevent rabies from developing if prompt medical care is sought after such
an incident. To help raise awareness about rabies prevention and the importance
of acting quickly, World Rabies Day is observed every year on 28 September.
The day draws attention
to the wider challenges surrounding rabies, including gaps in access to
vaccines, limited public knowledge and the continued burden of dog-mediated
rabies in many parts of the world. It also brings together communities,
healthcare professionals, veterinarians and policymakers around the shared goal
of ending human deaths from rabies. “Stronger Together” is the theme for World
Rabies Day 2026. The theme highlights the importance of collaboration in the
fight against rabies, bringing together communities, healthcare professionals,
veterinarians, governments and other stakeholders. It emphasises that sustained
progress towards rabies elimination depends on stronger coordination across
human and animal health systems, as well as collective efforts to improve
prevention and access to life-saving care. Rabies is a viral infection that
affects the central nervous system and is mainly transmitted through the saliva
of an infected animal. It most commonly spreads when an infected animal bites
or scratches a person, allowing the virus to enter the body through broken
skin. Dogs are responsible for the majority of human rabies cases worldwide,
although other mammals, including bats and wild animals, can also transmit the
virus. The risk depends on the type of contact and the animal involved, which is
why any possible exposure should be assessed by a healthcare professional
rather than dismissed as a minor injury. Early symptoms can be mild at first
and may appear similar to those of other illnesses. Common early symptoms
include:Fever: A rise in body temperature, often accompanied by feeling unwell.Headache:
Persistent or unusual headaches may occur.Weakness: General tiredness, weakness
or a feeling of being unwell. Pain or discomfort may develop around the site of
the bite or scratch.Tingling: Burning, itching or tingling sensations around
the affected area can be an early sign.Some people may experience nausea or
reduced appetite.As rabies progresses, neurological symptoms such as confusion,
agitation, difficulty swallowing and abnormal behaviour can develop.Once rabies
reaches the nervous system, the symptoms become more severe and can progress
rapidly. The later symptoms vary depending on the form of rabies, but may
include:The person may become disoriented, have difficulty thinking clearly, or
struggle to recognise familiar people and surroundings.Agitation: Restlessness,
anxiety, irritability and sudden changes in behaviour can occur as the
infection affects the brain.Hallucinations: Some people may see, hear or feel
things that are not actually present.Difficulty Swallowing: Painful spasms in
the throat can make swallowing difficult. These spasms may also make drinking
extremely difficult.Hydrophobia: Often called a fear of water, this occurs
because attempts to swallow liquids can trigger severe and painful throat
spasms.Excessive Salivation: Difficulty swallowing saliva can lead to drooling
and increased saliva around the mouth. movement across the face, such as from a
fan or breeze, may trigger painful muscle spasms in some people.Muscle
Weakness: Weakness can gradually spread through the body and may eventually
develop into paralysis.Breathing Difficulties: As paralysis progresses, the
muscles involved in breathing may become affected, making it increasingly
difficult to breathe.Loss Of Consciousness: In the final stages, the person may
lose consciousness as the infection causes severe damage to the brain and
nervous system, eventually leading to death.
An animal bite should
not be ignored simply because the wound looks small or does not hurt much. If
the animal could have rabies, getting medical care quickly can help prevent the
infection from developing. The key reasons immediate care matters include:Washing
the wound thoroughly with soap and running water as soon as possible helps
remove the virus from the exposed area and also reduces the risk of other wound
infections.Allows Risk Assessment: A healthcare professional can assess the
type of exposure, the animal involved and whether rabies treatment is needed.If
there is a risk of rabies, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which may include
rabies vaccines and, for certain exposures, rabies immunoglobulin, can prevent
the virus from progressing.Symptoms May Come Later: Rabies can have a variable
incubation period, so a person may feel completely well immediately after a
bite. Waiting for symptoms before seeking care can be dangerous.
Prevents Fatal Disease:
Once clinical symptoms of rabies develop, the disease is almost always fatal.
Prompt medical attention after exposure is therefore critical, even when the
injury appears minor.What Should You Do Immediately After a Dog or Animal Bite?If
you are bitten, scratched or otherwise exposed to the saliva of an animal that
could carry rabies, do not wait for symptoms to appear. Taking the following
steps as soon as possible can significantly reduce the risk of infection:Wash
The Wound: Immediately wash the bite or scratch thoroughly with soap and plenty
of running water for around 15 minutes. This helps remove the virus from the
wound and reduces the risk of other infections.
Apply An Antiseptic:
After washing, apply an iodine-containing antiseptic or another suitable
antiseptic to the affected area, if available.Seek Medical Care: Visit a
healthcare professional or rabies treatment centre as soon as possible, even if
the wound appears minor or there is little or no bleeding.Get PEP If Needed: A
healthcare professional will assess the exposure and determine whether you need
post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which may include rabies vaccines and, for
certain serious exposures, rabies immunoglobulin.
Follow The Vaccination
Schedule: If rabies vaccination is recommended, complete the prescribed course
according to the schedule given by your healthcare professional.
Dogs play a major role
in the spread of rabies to humans, which makes dog vaccination one of the most
effective ways to control transmission. Vaccinating dogs protects them from
infection and reduces the chance of the virus spreading between animals and
people. Some of the key reasons dog vaccination is important include:Breaks
Transmission: When enough dogs in a community are vaccinated, the virus has
fewer opportunities to spread from one animal to another and eventually reach
people.Protects Communities: Vaccinated dogs create a layer of protection for
people, particularly children and others who may come into frequent contact
with animals.Preventing rabies in dogs directly lowers the risk of people being
exposed to an infected animal.
Protects Stray Dogs:
Vaccination programmes also help protect free-roaming and community dogs, which
may otherwise have limited access to veterinary care.Supports Elimination:
Widespread dog vaccination is a key part of global efforts to eliminate human
deaths from dog-mediated rabies.World Rabies Day is an opportunity to turn
awareness into simple actions that can help protect both people and animals. On
28 September, you can take part in the fight against rabies in several ways:Vaccinate
Your Dog: Make sure your pet's rabies vaccination is up to date and encourage
other pet owners to do the same.Know how to properly wash a bite or scratch and
why seeking medical care promptly after a possible exposure is important.Share
Reliable Information: Help family, friends and children learn how rabies
spreads, how bites can be prevented and what to do after an exposure.Support
Vaccination Drives: Take part in or support local campaigns that vaccinate
dogs, particularly free-roaming and community dogs.Teach Children: Help
children understand how to behave safely around unfamiliar animals and
encourage them to tell an adult immediately if they are bitten or scratched.
World Rabies Day serves
as an important reminder that timely action can make a crucial difference after
a possible rabies exposure. If you or a loved one has been bitten or scratched
by a dog or another animal, seeking medical attention promptly is important,
even if the wound appears minor. Visit the nearest Sterling Hospital for prompt
medical assessment and emergency care services. The hospital's emergency team
can assess the exposure, guide you on the next steps and provide rabies
vaccination if required.
Prof .John Kurakar
