Rabies Disease in pakistan

Rabies Disease in Pakistan,2k to 5k DEATHS Annually

Prevalence : In Pakistan, 99% of this Zoonotic disease in humans is caused by rabies in animal. Karachi reports 7 to 9.8 mad dog disease per million people annually, while Rawalpindi records 100 dog bite cases monthly. Government hospitals treat 50–70 canine bite infections daily, with 1.5 million annual dog bite incidents, many involving children.

Alarmingly, 78% lack awareness of rabidness fatality, 42.7% are unaware of symptoms, and 38.7% rely on herbal remedies. Adherence to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) remains low.

Rabies is what is it

Rabies definition: Its a deadly Zoonotic disease that affects the central nervous system, causing inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. It is caused by the virus, a member of the Lyssavirus genus. Once symptoms appear, hydrophobia is almost always fatal, making it one of the most feared diseases in human history. The virus is primarily transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, usually via bites or scratches.

Origin of the Rabies Virus

This illness has been recognized for thousands of years, with the earliest recorded accounts dating back to ancient Mesopotamia (2300 BC). The term “rabies” comes from the Latin word rabere, meaning “to rage” or “to rave,” reflecting the aggressive behavior seen in infected animals and humans.

The virus likely originated in bats and later spread to other mammals, including canines bite pathogen, which remain the primary source of human infections worldwide.

Rabies Prevalence (WHO)

Rabies dog is eliminated in Western Europe, Canada, the U.S., Japan, and parts of Latin America, but bat-mediated rabies persists.

• Americas, Western Europe, Canada, US, Japan, and parts of Latin America: Rabies dog eliminated; bat rabies remains.
• Africa and Asia: 95% of global rabies cases occur here.
• India: Accounts for 59.9% of Asia’s and 35% of global rabies deaths.
• Asia: Estimated 35,172 human deaths annually; PEP costs up to US$ 1.5 billion yearly.
• Africa: Estimated 21,476 human deaths annually; lowest PEP spending.
• Latin America: Rabies in Dogs reported in only 8 countries (2013–2016).
• Central Asia: 1,875 human deaths annually.
• Middle East: 229 human deaths annually.
• Global economic cost of canine-mediated rabies: US$ 8.6 billion annually.
• Global target: Zero human deaths from canine-mediated rabies by 2030.

Invention of Vaccine for Prevention

The best way to prevent zoonotic diseases is through vaccination of animals, avoiding contact with wild or stray animals, practicing good hygiene, ensuring food safety, and controlling vectors like ticks and mosquitoes. Its vaccine is one of the most significant achievements in medical history. It was developed by Louis Pasteur and his team in 1885. Here’s how it happened:

• Pasteur discovered that the virus could be weakened (attenuated) by drying the spinal cords of infected rabbits.
• He tested the vaccine on a 9-year-old boy, Joseph Meister, who had been bitten by a rabies animal. The vaccine successfully prevented the disease, marking the first effective treatment for the dog bite infection.
• This breakthrough laid the foundation for modern immunology and vaccine development.

Epidemiology of Rabies disease in Pakistan

Pakistan is among the top five countries globally with the highest burden of dog bite infections. The disease remains a significant public health challenge due to the following factors:

1. High Stray Dog Population: Millions of unvaccinated stray puppy are the primary source of virus transmission.
2. Limited Awareness: Many people are unaware of the dangers of this fatal illness and the importance of seeking medical care after a rabies bite.
3. Healthcare Gaps: Shortages of vaccines and immunoglobulin (RIG) in rural areas hinder effective treatment.

Rabies Prevalence in Pakistan

• Annual Cases: Pakistan records 2,000 to 5,000 human deaths annually.
• Daily Cases: This translates to an alarming 25-30 deaths per day.
• Regional Data: In Karachi, the annual incidence is 7 to 9.8 cases per million people, while hospitals in Rawalpindi report 100 canine bite cases monthly.

Conclusion

This illness usually called hydrophobia is a preventable but deadly disease that continues to pose a significant public health threat in Pakistan. With 2,000 to 5,000 deaths annually and 25-30 deaths per day, rabies disease in Pakistan, therefore the country faces a critical challenge in controlling the disease.

Addressing this issue requires a coordinated effort, including mass hounds vaccination, public awareness campaigns, and improved access to healthcare. By understanding the origins, transmission, and impact of Zoonotic virus, we can work towards eliminating this ancient scourge and saving thousands of lives