Rabies danger: How veterinarians protect Austria from the disease

Rabies danger: How veterinarians protect Austria from the disease

September 28th is the World Wuttag, an occasion to draw attention to the dangers of rabies. According to the current reporting of Ots Is rabies one of the most dangerous zoonoses worldwide, which costs around 59,000 people annually. Although the disease is largely contained in Europe, the clarification of the prevention and vaccination of pets remains crucial for combating the virus.

In Austria, the region has been considered rabies -free since 2008. Veterinarians have a central role in public health care. They inform animal owners about protective measures and vaccination programs, especially when traveling abroad and when contacting wild animals. The attention of symptoms of the disease is also reinforced to promote early reactions and reports.

Symptoms and transmission

Rabies is caused by a virus that is transmitted via the saliva of infected animals. Bite of infected animals represent the main transmission path. The incubation period can vary between 10 and 276 days. In almost all cases, rabies are fatal, which underlines the need for prophylaxis measures. In Consumer health It is pointed out that the disease runs in different stages: from the procromal stage in which the behavior of the animal changes, to the stage of excitation with aggressiveness and fatal paralysis stadium.

The symptoms can vary depending on the animal species. Dogs show frenzied or silent anger as well as paralysis. Cats behave similarly to dogs, but often tend to hide. Different symptoms can occur in cattle, horses, pigs and sheep, such as hydrophobia or sudden breakdown.

Worldwide challenges and progress

Most deaths from rabies in Africa and Asia are recorded worldwide, with almost 60,000 victims per year Bft. International organizations such as the WHO and the "Global Alliance for Rabies Control" are committed to exterminating the disease by 2030. Challenges remain, especially in regions with continuing rabies in wild animals, such as in Poland and Slovakia, where the situation has recently tightened.

In order to combat rabies, a repayment program was adopted in Slovakia. In the EU, a vaccination cover of around 70 percent is necessary to effectively eliminate the virus. In Eastern Europe, however, the vaccination rate is only 63 percent, which makes the efforts to combat the disease.

In Germany and other EU countries, the infection risks through trips to endemic countries and illegal dog imports have increased. An example of the dangers of these imports occurred in September 2021 when a dog puppy from abroad caused a suspected rabies.

The measures to combat rabies include regular vaccinations, notification obligations and comprehensive animal disease monitoring. To ensure that the status remains "rabies -free", the awareness of the population on this topic is of crucial importance.