World Rabies Day: tracing the journey from myths to modern medicine
Context
After the recent death of a young boy in Kerala due to rabies, it highlighted the continued threat posed by the rabies disease in today’s world of medical advancements.
- Meanwhile, September 28 is observed as World Rabies Day to commemorate the death of Louis Pasteur.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Health)
Dimensions of the Article
- History of Rabies
- Present Challenges
- Way Forward
History of Rabies
- The history of rabies finds its mentions in many ancient texts of Mesopotamia and India, dated back to about 4,000 years.
- However, people in those days, followed superstitions and ineffective remedies like consuming dog hair, in an attempt to cure rabies.
- The real turning point came in the 1880s when Louis Pasteur developed the first rabies vaccine.
- Pasteur hypothesized that a weakened version of the virus could stimulate the immune system to fight off real infections. His successful treatment of a young boy, Joseph Meister, in 1885 marked the first major victory in rabies prevention.
- Pasteur’s work on rabies had a global impact, leading to the creation of the Pasteur Institute in 1888. His vaccine’s success was recognized internationally, saving lives and becoming a cornerstone in the development of future vaccines.
Present Challenges
- India accounts for about 59,000 deaths annually, which is 33% of global rabies fatalities.
- However, Rabies can be prevented if timely post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is administered. This involves a combination of rabies immunoglobulin (Rabies Ig) and the rabies vaccine. However, there is still a lack of awareness, and sometimes, victims do not receive the necessary treatment due to delayed medical response or lack of understanding of the risks.
- Beyond the human toll, rabies places a significant economic burden on India. The estimated cost of dog-mediated rabies is $8.6 billion, reflecting the impact on healthcare resources, vaccination campaigns, and lost productivity.
Way Forward
- Strengthening Vaccination and Education: Increasing public awareness about the importance of immediate medical attention after any animal bite is crucial. Vaccination drives for both people and dogs must be prioritized, along with educational programs that highlight the seriousness of rabies and the need for PEP.
- Adopting the One Health Approach: A comprehensive strategy that involves collaboration between human health, veterinary, and environmental sectors is essential to effectively manage rabies. This approach, called “One Health,” recognizes the interconnectedness of human and animal health and focuses on coordinated efforts like dog population management, public awareness, and vaccination drives.
- Robust Surveillance and Coordination: India must establish a strong surveillance system to track rabies cases and dog bites more effectively. This can include using technology like GIS-enabled tracking systems. Additionally, collaboration among government ministries such as health, animal husbandry, environment, and local bodies is vital for achieving the goal of zero rabies deaths by 2030.
