Here in Massachusetts a man, unidentified to the public, lays in critical condition after unknowingly contracting rabies. The man was not treated for the potentially fatal disease because he was unaware that he had even come in close enough contact with the carrier. The family came fourth telling the media that their had been a bat in the house but they did not think to be vaccinated. The bite from a bat can appear so small that it is not even vi sable to the eye.
The Myotis bat, responsible for the bite, is one of the most common varities in North America. Jennifer Manley, a spokeswoman from the Department of Health can only confirm that, "it was a little brown bat." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have not confirmed the species of bat yet but thanks to Jennifer Manley, we know it's brown! Most cases of rabies in the United States have been linked to bats but in other countries the main carrier of the disease differs.
The rabies virus is carried in the saliva of infected animals, and mostly transmitted through a bite, or even just close contact. The virus infects the central nervous system and ultimately is fatal almost 100% of the time. Early symptoms of rabies are similar to common illnesses since they include fever, headache and general weakness or discomfort. But, in the end, the results could not differ any more.
Rabies can be prevented by administering a vaccine, but the vaccine can not cure you. In most cases, by the time symptoms show, it's too late. Only you know if you have been exposed to rabies. If you have in anyway, vaccination is your only answer. Had this man been vaccinated, he would not be in the condition he is in today. But it's not just him. One to three rabies cases are reported annually in the United States. Although the rate is so low here, about 55,000 people die of rabies every year around the world. Around the world, the main carrier would be rabid dogs instead of bats. But no matter how the disease is contracted, it can always be prevented. So why isn't it? Should the rabies vaccine be administered to all, or only those who believe they have come in contact?
It is very interesting to see that another vaccination debate has appeared in modern times once again. I'm not sure about my opinion on the subject of rabies vaccinations, but it's scary to think that you can contract such a fatal disease with symptoms of common illnesses. This post also made me think back to the Black Death unit where the rats were the vectors of the disease. Today, many diseases where animals play an integral role in the spread of disease are in the media, such as west nile virus and the bird flu. As we saw in the smallpox unit, it is much easier to eradicate a disease when animals don't play a role in the spread of it.
ReplyDeleteI think that everyone should get the vaccination for rabies just like we get one for chicken pox for example. If you get rabies by the time you notice the symptoms it may be to late to treat so that you could possibly survive. People should get the vaccination just to be safe if that day comes when you are bit by an animal with rabies.
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