Rescue 1122 to observe World rabies Day

RAWALPINDI: The Director General, Punjab Emergency Service, Rescue 1122 directed all District Emergency Officers of Punjab Rescue to observed World Rabies Day in their respective districts to create awareness against a neglected and fatal but preventable disease Rabies.

He said 50 to 60 thousand people die of rabies all over the world and most of the cases are occurring in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, China Philippines and Thailand.

In this regard Rescue 1122, Rawalpindi dealt 120 animal rescue emergencies in the District that's why Community Training Wing of Rescue 1122, Rawalpindi with collaboration of Shifa International Hospital has started education on disease rabies that usually victims get it from bite of a rabid animal like dog, cat, bat fox etc.

The trainers are sensitizing on symptoms of Rabies that actually infects Central Nervous System causing brain disease, damage or malfunction and ultimate death. Early symptoms of Rabies in human are nonspecific, consisting of fever, headache and general malaise and feel pins, numbness or itching at the bite site in these cases death usually occurs within days of onset of symptoms, although fatal rabies is almost 100 percent preventable disease with timely proper intervention.

The trained team of Rescue 1122 Community Training Wing are focusing on preventive measures of Rabies after a possible exposure includes vigorous washing of the wound thoroughly with soap and plenty of water for 10-15 minutes and seeking medical attention immediately, use of appropriate antibiotic to prevent wound sepsis, avoid suturing the wound should not be dressed or bandaged unless necessary, active immunization with anti Rabies vaccine as per doctors advice, measure to prevent the spread of Rabies.

During the lecture Ms Deeba Shahnaz Emergency Officer, Community Training told the participants that a good citizen should teach children never to handle in unfamiliar animal wild or domestic event if they appear friendly, do not handle feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage censor litter, never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health, animal control or an animal recue agency for assistance.

The Director General further emphasized to ensure that people affected by rabies get immediate treatment from skill physicians, not from the tradional healer. Rescuers will reach at their door step within 7 to 10 minutes for providing them immediate assistance in these cases.

Copyright PPI (Pakistan Press International), 2011