In early October, shocking news emerged from New Delhi, India. Kenya’s sprint coach Dennis Nzomo was bitten by a dog at the World Paralympic Games there.
Thousands took to the internet to express their shock at the incident, and apart from the fear that it would affect the Kenyan team's performance, many expressed fear for Dennis' health.
Dog bites carry the risk of transmitting rabies.
"The mere mention of rabies is a cause for alarm," says Dr. Traore Tiebe, technical officer for animal health and wildlife diseases at WHO. "Despite being one of the oldest known diseases, it is still a silent killer in parts of Africa, claiming thousands of lives every year, but these deaths are preventable,"
Fear of infection
‘‘While we were practicing, I bent down to give my teammate a kick to start the run, and I felt something squeeze my leg,’’ Dennis Nzomo narrates in an online video. ‘‘At first I thought someone had squeezed me but when I turned around, it was a dog.’’ he continues.
Nzomo, like anyone else, feared contracting rabies. He rushed to the hospital to seek help.
‘‘I went to the hospital and I am feeling much better now. I have been given several vaccines including tetenus and rabies,” explains Nzomo.
“Rabies is a serious, preventable disease caused by a wild animal virus of the Rhabdoviridae family,” explains Dr. Traore. “It is transmitted to humans through contact – especially bites and scratches – with infected domestic or wild animals.”
Many cases go unreported
Although rabies is found on every continent, it is most prevalent in many African countries. The virus circulates largely through domestic dogs, which are responsible for up to 99% of human infections.
The true extent of rabies in African countries is difficult to know. Many cases go unreported, especially in rural communities where access to health facilities and testing tools is limited.
“Because rabies infections are often underreported or misdiagnosed, we do not have complete data on how many people are affected or how many animals carry the virus,” Dr. Traore notes.
Worldwide, rabies kills an estimated 59,000 people each year, with about 95% of these deaths occurring in Africa and Asia. The disease disproportionately affects the poor, who often cannot afford or access PEP, a vaccine that can prevent infection after a bite.
Children are at the highest risk
"Forty percent of people bitten by animals suspected of having rabies are children under the age of 15," says Dr. Traore," says Dr. Traore. "Their natural curiosity and playful nature with animals puts them at high risk."
The rabies virus enters the body through a bite or scratch and travels silently along the nerves to the brain. Once in the brain, it causes inflammation that leads to confusion, fear of water, paralysis - and eventually death.
"Once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal," warns Dr. Traore.
There are two main types of rabies in humans. 'Furious rabies' , which is the most common, causes rage, confusion, and a fear of water. The other is 'Paralytic rabies' which progresses slowly, starting with muscle weakness before leading to coma and death. Because it mimics other neurological symptoms, this type of rabies is often misdiagnosed - contributing to underreporting.
Killing stray dogs on the street is not the answer
The good news is that rabies is 100% preventable - in both animals and humans.
The best preventive measure is mass vaccination of dogs.
"Vaccination of dogs, including puppies, is the best way to prevent rabies in humans. It stops the virus at its source. Killing stray dogs on the streets is not an effective solution," Dr. Traore emphasizes.
In humans, prompt wound care and vaccination can make the difference between life and death. "Washing the wound thoroughly with soap and water after contact with a suspected rabid animal is essential and can be life-saving," says Dr. Traore, but prompt medical attention is necessary.
