The rabies virus is the closest thing we can imagine to a zombie apocalypse. You might be asking yourself, what are you talking about? Well when the rabies virus takes over your body, it actually hijacks your entire mind. One of the scariest symptoms that happens to an infected person is the fact that they get hydrophobic. The virus literally hijacks your mind to make you scared of water because it’s main method of spreading is the saliva of any animal (including us). If you drink water there’s less of a chance this virus can spread, so it makes you not able to by forcing your mind/muscles to keep water away from you. Even if you’re the thirstiest person in the world the virus will literally say no. Let’s learn together a little about this horrific virus.
As of the latest global estimates, approximately 59,000 people die from rabies each year, with the vast majority (95%) of these deaths occurring in Asia and Africa.
About Rabies
Essentially this virus is from the order known as Mononegavirales which is non-segmented and negative-stranded RNA genome. It’s basically a bullet shaped virus that also belongs in the Rhabdoviridae family. So now that we know it’s order and family, what else can we dissect from it. Well there are three different genera including Lyssavirus, Ephemerovirus, and Vesiculovirus. The most commonly associated genera are the Lyssaviruses with rabies in specific.
This virus is absolutely deadly which scares the hell out of everyone who learns about it. It pretty much has a virtual 100% kill rate with only 14 people surviving from infection after having symptoms. Now that is definitely terrifying. Well how exactly do you get rabies? Well animals can be carriers of the virus which hijacks the brain to cause a variety of symptoms which will help the virus infect another living organism. Some of the symptoms include hydrophobia, aggression, and hallucinations.
Once an animal with rabies bites or scratches another animal the saliva of that infected animal gets into the victim animal. An important thing to note in this case is that the closer the bite/scratch/infection is to your head the faster you die from the virus. So a bite on your leg would take longer to die from, compared to one right on your neck. When the virus enters your body it makes attempts to get toward your central nervous system where it causes inflammation in the brain (it’s final destination).
Common Transmitters
The most common transmitters of rabies vary by region due to differences in wildlife populations and human-animal interactions. However, globally, the primary transmitters are:
- Dogs: The most common source of the virus in humans worldwide, especially in parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America where stray and unvaccinated dogs are prevalent. (Note: In up to 99% of cases for humans the transmitter of the virus were domestic dogs.)
- Bats: In North America, bats are the most frequent source of rabies infections in humans. Bats can transmit the virus without leaving obvious bite marks, which sometimes leads to underreporting and misdiagnosis. The scariest part of this is that you might not even know you’re bit unless someone sees the bite marks.
- Wildlife: Various wildlife species are important reservoirs for the rabies virus in different regions:
- In North America, raccoons, skunks, and foxes are significant carriers.
- In Europe, foxes were traditionally the main reservoir, but due to successful oral vaccination programs, bat species have become more prominent carriers.
- In Africa and Asia, jackals and mongooses can also transmit the virus.
- Cats: Cats are less commonly involved than dogs but are the most reported domestic animal diagnosed with rabies in some parts of the United States.
- Ferrets and Farm Animals: Though less common, ferrets and farm animals like cows, goats, and horses can contract and transmit the virus, particularly in areas where they might encounter rabid wildlife.
These transmitters contribute to the regional epidemiology of rabies, influencing control and prevention strategies tailored to specific animal populations and human exposure risks.
Progressive Symptoms
If someone is bitten by a rabid dog, the process of infection and progression of symptoms is both severe and, if untreated, inevitably fatal. Here’s a detailed look at what happens:
- Transmission: When a rabid dog bites a person, the virus is transmitted through the dog’s saliva into the wound. The rabies virus specifically infects the peripheral nervous system initially.
- Incubation Period: After exposure, the virus remains in the incubation phase for a variable period, typically 3 to 12 weeks, but it can range from days to years, depending on factors such as the location of the bite and the amount of virus introduced. During this period, the infected individual does not show symptoms.
- Initial Symptoms: The first symptoms are often nonspecific and may include:
- Fever
- Headache
- General weakness or discomfort
- Anxiety or confusion
- Sensory changes at the bite site, such as itching or tingling
- Progression to Acute Neurological Phase: As the virus reaches the central nervous system, more severe symptoms develop:
- Hydrophobia (fear of water) due to painful spasms in the throat when attempting to drink
- Aerophobia (fear of drafts or of fresh air)
- Hyperactivity or agitation
- Hallucinations and delirium
- Excessive salivation and difficulty swallowing
- Partial paralysis
- Advanced Symptoms: Once the virus affects the central nervous system, symptoms rapidly progress to:
- Full paralysis
- Coma
- Eventually, respiratory failure, which leads to death
After the appearance of symptoms, the progression to death typically occurs within 7 to 14 days, largely due to respiratory paralysis.
Prevention and Treatment
Rabies is preventable through vaccination of animals and post-exposure prophylaxis for humans, which must be administered before symptoms appear. Once clinical symptoms of rabies appear, the infection is nearly always fatal. Prevention and control of rabies involve vaccination of pets and wildlife, public health education on avoiding contact with wild animals, and treatment for humans who may have been exposed.
- Immediate Washing: Washing the wound immediately with soap and water can significantly reduce the chances of becoming infected.
- Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): This includes a series of rabies vaccinations and, in some cases, a dose of rabies immune globulin. This treatment is effective in preventing rabies if administered before symptoms begin.
Vaccination of pets and wildlife plays a crucial role in prevention.
14 Rabies Survivors
There have been rare cases of people surviving rabies, although they are exceptionally uncommon. As of now, fewer than 20 cases of survival from clinical rabies have been documented worldwide.
One of the most noted methods of treatment that led to a survivor is the Milwaukee Protocol, which was first tried in 2004. This experimental treatment involves placing the patient in a drug-induced coma and administering a combination of antiviral drugs. The idea is to protect the brain while the body’s immune system fights off the virus. The first patient treated with this protocol, Jeanna Giese, survived after being infected without having received the rabies vaccination prior to symptom onset.
However, the Milwaukee Protocol has been controversial and has a low success rate. Subsequent attempts to replicate the success seen in the initial case have largely failed, with a success rate of only about 8%. Most medical experts consider rabies nearly always fatal once clinical symptoms have appeared, and they emphasize the importance of preventive vaccination and immediate post-exposure prophylaxis as the most effective means of dealing with rabies exposure.
Global Efforts of Eradication
Final Thoughts
Understanding rabies is crucial in both appreciating the intricate ways viruses can affect us and reinforcing the importance of proactive healthcare measures. While it’s a formidable enemy, with vigilant prevention and prompt treatment, we continue to stand a chance against this ancient scourge. It remains a significant global health concern despite ongoing efforts to eradicate it. The virus, which primarily affects the nervous system, is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, underscoring the critical need for prevention and early intervention.
Understanding rabies is crucial for prevention, especially in high-risk regions. The fight against it is not only about managing the disease but also involves comprehensive strategies combining public health education, robust animal control policies, and scientific research. About the battle, the beautiful world of microbiology and microbiologists can potentially be the warriors in this battle giving us new ways to defeat this enemy which gives humanity hope to eradicate the virus once and for all.