Rabies is a zoonotic viral disease which infects domestic and wild animals. It is transmitted to other animals and humans through close contact with saliva from infected animals (i.e. bites, scratches, licks on broken skin and mucous membranes). Once symptoms of the disease develop, rabies is fatal to both animals and humans.

Symptoms: the first symptoms of rabies are usually non-specific and suggest involvement of the respiratory, gastrointestinal or central nervous systems. In the acute stage, signs of hyperactivity (furious rabies) or paralysis (dumb rabies) predominate. In both furious and dumb rabies, paralysis eventually progresses to complete paralysis followed by coma and death in all cases, usually due to respiratory failure. Without intensive care, death occurs during the first seven days of illness.

Tips:

 ·When bitten by animals such as cats or dogs, squeeze the wound to let out the contaminated blood, secondly wash it with 3%-5% soap water repeatedly, and then wash it with fresh water for at least 20 minutes. Finally, rub the wound with 75% alcohol, or 2% to 5% iodine. Do not bind up the wound unless major blood vessel is injured.
 ·The wounded should be sent to hospital immediately and vaccinated against rabies. The best time for initial vaccination is within 24 hours after being bitten. The second injection should be taken on the 3rd day after the bite, the 3rd on the 7th day, the 4th on the 14th day, and the 5th on the 28 th day.
 ·When there is one, or several penetrating wounds, the wounded should take not only rabies vaccine but also anti-rabies blood serum shot.
 ·Separate animals that attack humans, and report to local animal disease epidemic prevention agencies.

Suggestions:

 ·Dog and cat raisers should take the dog and cat to inject animal rabies vaccine.  
 ·When people are attacked and wounded by dogs, report to the local police and sanitation departments.