Doctors warn public not to delay Rabies treatment

Colombo, March 30 (Daily Mirror) - In the wake of a recent uptick in rabies-related incidents and concern over animal bites, health experts are urging the public not to ignore the deadly threat posed by rabies.

Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Maheshaka Wijayawardena told Daily Mirror that immediate medical attention after an animal bite is critical to prevent the disease.

“Rabies is one of the few diseases where prevention after exposure is extremely effective. If treatment is taken immediately after a bite or scratch, the disease can be completely prevented. However, once symptoms appear, survival is extremely rare,” he said.

Rabies is a viral disease that spreads from animals to humans mainly through bites, scratches or contact with infected saliva. The virus attacks the central nervous system and causes inflammation of the brain, eventually leading to death if treatment is not given in time.

Dogs remain the primary source of human rabies infections in Sri Lanka, although other animals including cats, cattle, monkeys, jackals, mongooses, civet cats, squirrels and bandicoots can also transmit the virus.

According to health expert, Sri Lanka records around 25 to 30 human deaths from rabies every year, while approximately 250,000 animal bite incidents are reported annually.

More than 100,000 people receive post-exposure treatment from government hospitals each year using anti-rabies vaccines and rabies immunoglobulin.

Dr. Wijayawardena noted that most rabies deaths occur because victims delay seeking treatment or fail to complete the vaccination schedule.

“Despite the availability of free treatment in government hospitals, deaths still occur mainly due to delays in seeking care or not completing the vaccine schedule. It is crucial that people strictly follow medical advice,” he added.

As such, he advises that anyone bitten or scratched by an animal should immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least five minutes, disinfect it with alcohol or povidone-iodine, and seek treatment at the nearest government hospital without delay.

“The message to the public is simple — wash the wound immediately, seek medical care and complete the full vaccine course. Rabies is preventable, but once symptoms appear it is almost always fatal,” Dr. Wijayawardena added.