Learn how to act in contact with an animal with rabies

About the symptoms and measures of prevention of rabies was told by the head of the department of especially dangerous infections of the epidemiology department of the Republican Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health Anastasia Lashkevich, BelTA reports.

Under the auspices of the World Health Organization, World Rabies Day is celebrated on 28 September. The disease is widespread among animals and deadly to humans, so much attention is paid to its prevention. As noted by Anastasia Lashkevich, rabies is a viral disease, the sources of infection of which can be wild carnivores, domestic and agricultural animals. The disease sometimes occurs in rodents, squirrels and hedgehogs.

In humans, rabies is severe and after the appearance of clinical signs ends in death. There are no reported cases of recovery in people who have already developed symptoms of rabies. The case of rabies was first reported in Belarus in 2026 in the Mogilev region. The victim was in contact with a stray cat, but did not seek medical help and died.

Every year about 20 thousand people apply for anti-rabies care in the Belarusian health organization. In the six months of 2026, 12,954 cases were reported, including 302 after contact with animals with rabies. This year, 13 cases of mass contact of people with sick animals – dogs with an owner, cattle and one neglected dog – were also recorded. Mass contact is considered, as a result of which five or more people suffered from one animal, the head of the department said.

The time from infection to the onset of the first symptoms can last from 70 days to a year. The duration depends, in particular, on the site of injury and viral load. The first symptoms are non-specific: a person may have a fever, anxiety, excitement, pain or burning at the site of injury. Pain can occur even after the wound has healed and spread along the nerve endings. Then more characteristic signs develop: increased sensitivity to loud sounds and bright light, violation of swallowing, spasms of the throat muscles at the sight of liquid. “After the appearance of clinical signs, the disease progresses steadily.” Neurological disorders develop, including encephalitis, and death occurs due to damage to the respiratory and vasomotor centers of the brain, said Anastasia Lashkevich.

The expert recommended avoiding contact with wild and neglected animals. If a wild animal came to the homestead or in a settlement, it can not be approached and touched. It is necessary to ensure the safety of people and pets, and then contact the services that are engaged in the capture of stray animals. Particular attention should be paid to children who may try to pet or pick up an unfamiliar kitten, puppy, squirrel or hedgehog. “Parents should explain to children that any contact with an animal — even if it is only touching, scratching or biting — should be told immediately to adults. This will allow you to seek medical help in a timely manner, she said.

As explained by the head of the department, if contact with the animal still occurred, it is necessary as soon as possible to wash the site of damage with a large amount of running water with soap, treat the edges of the wound with an antiseptic and on the same day contact the health organization. Appoint a course of anti-rabies vaccinations can only be a surgeon or trauma doctor. Usually, the course consists of five or six injections of the vaccine at specific intervals set by the instruction. “Immunizations may not be refused or vaccinated on their own. How many injections prescribed by the doctor, so much need to get, she stressed. In addition to the rabies vaccine, an anti-rabies immunoglobulin may be administered. It is used for the most dangerous injuries located in the head, face, neck, hands, toes and genitals.”.

Assistance for infection is provided free of charge for epidemiological indications. You can contact any health care organization, regardless of the place of registration or temporary stay. If the institution does not provide such assistance, the patient will be referred to the nearest organization where it can be obtained. There are no age restrictions for post-exposure immunization, and pregnancy is not a contraindication. In addition, preventive vaccination is carried out to people who by the nature of activity can come into contact with animals, including patients with rabies. These include veterinary specialists, foresters, rangers, employees of services for catching stray animals, taxidermists, groomers and others. Such workers are vaccinated for epidemiological indications and in accordance with the scheme established by the instructions for the drug.

There is a comprehensive plan of measures for the prevention of rabies in Belarus for 2026-2030. The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, local authorities, the Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Natural Resources participate in its implementation. The plan includes wildlife regulation, oral immunization of wild carnivores, vaccination of pets and humans, laboratory research and outreach. Materials on the prevention of rabies are posted on the websites of the Ministry of Health, the Republican Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, territorial bodies carrying out state health supervision, and health organizations.