Rabies

Cause

• Rabies is caused by the Rabies virus, a member of the Lyssavirus genus.
• The virus specifically attacks the brain and nervous system, leading to severe neurological damage.

How It Spreads

• Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, most often via:
  • Bites
  • Scratches
  • Licking of open wounds or mucous membranes (eyes, mouth).
• Common animal carriers include:
  • Dogs (the most frequent source in Asia and Africa)
  • Cats
  • Monkeys (especially in tourist areas)
  • Bats

Symptoms

Early stage (1–3 days after onset):

• Fever, headache, and fatigue
• Pain or unusual sensations (tingling, itching) at the site of the bite

Progressive stage:

• Anxiety, confusion, and agitation
• Difficulty swallowing and speaking
• Excessive salivation and muscle spasms
• Fear of water (hydrophobia) and sometimes fear of air (aerophobia)

Final stage:

• Paralysis
• Coma
• Death (usually within days of symptom onset)

Why It’s Dangerous

• Fatality rate: Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal.
• Global risk: Tens of thousands of people die from rabies every year, mostly in Asia and Africa.
• Indonesia (including Lombok): Considered a high-risk area due to stray dogs, cats, and frequent human–animal interaction, especially in rural and tourist areas.

Prevention

• Pre-exposure vaccination: Recommended for travelers, outdoor workers, animal handlers, and children living in or visiting high-risk areas.
• Immediate wound care: Wash bites or scratches thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes.
• Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP): A series of rabies vaccines (and rabies immunoglobulin, if needed) must be started as soon as possible after exposure.
• Avoidance: Stay away from stray or wild animals; do not attempt to feed or touch them.

Treatment

• No cure exists once symptoms develop. Treatment is supportive only and rarely successful.
• After exposure:
  • Immediate wound cleaning with soap and water
  • Rabies vaccination series (PEP)
  • Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) if the exposure is high-risk or severe

In Short

Rabies is a 100% preventable but 100% fatal disease if left untreated.
The key is prevention through vaccination and rapid action after exposure.
Vaccination before travel, or immediately after an animal bite, saves lives.