Rabies, a viral disease that has haunted human and animal populations for centuries, continues to be a global health concern, despite significant advancements in vaccination and treatment. Although rabies is preventable, once symptoms appear, it is almost invariably fatal.
Rabies is caused by a virus that affects the central nervous system, leading to brain inflammation and, if untreated, death. The disease is most commonly transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. Dogs are the main source of rabies transmission in many parts of the world, particularly in Africa and Asia, where dog rabies remains endemic. However, in other regions, wildlife such as bats, raccoons, foxes, and skunks also play a significant role in spreading the virus.
Rabies has been reported in more than 150 countries and territories, with an estimated 59,000 human deaths annually, primarily in poorer regions where access to vaccines and healthcare is limited. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified rabies as a neglected tropical disease, largely affecting rural communities with little access to preventive measures such as vaccination for pets and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for humans.
A recent case in Canada underscores the dangers of rabies, even in countries where the disease is rare. In Brant County, southern Ontario, a child died from rabies after waking up to find a bat in their bedroom. The incident, which occurred a month ago, marks the first domestically acquired case of rabies in Ontario since 1967 and has raised awareness about the potential risks associated with bats in the region.
According to Dr Malcolm Lock, acting medical officer of health at the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit, the child’s parents did not initially seek medical attention because they saw no visible signs of a bite, scratch, or saliva on their child. Unfortunately, this decision proved fatal, as rabies can be transmitted through even the tiniest break in the skin, often without any noticeable injury. Dr Lock revealed that the positivity rate for bats tested for rabies in Ontario this year has increased to 16%, up from 10% in previous years, further highlighting the growing risk.
The child’s death is a sobering reminder of the importance of immediate medical attention following any contact with potentially rabid animals, particularly bats. In this case, the bat exposure occurred in the Gowganda area of the Timiskaming region, further north in Ontario, where bats are known to carry the virus. Authorities have urged the public to seek medical advice if they wake up with a bat in their room or have any contact with these animals, even if no visible injuries are present.
While rabies cases in Canada are exceedingly rare, only 26 cases have been recorded since 1924, all of which resulted in death, this incident underscores the fact that rabies remains a lethal threat when not properly treated. The tragic loss of a child has served as a wake-up call for the region, reminding residents to take bat encounters seriously and seek vaccination when necessary.
Bats are increasingly recognised as a significant source of rabies transmission in many parts of the world, including North America. While domestic dogs remain the primary source of human rabies cases globally, bats have become a prominent reservoir for the rabies virus in countries with effective dog vaccination programs, such as Canada and the United States.
In North America, the majority of human rabies cases in recent years have been linked to bats. In fact, the Canadian child’s death follows a similar incident in Minnesota, United States, where a resident died from rabies after coming into contact with a bat in July. The individual, who was over 65 years old, had not sought immediate treatment after their encounter with the bat, which ultimately proved fatal.
Bats are a particularly concerning vector for rabies because their bites can be so small that they often go unnoticed. As a result, people may unknowingly be exposed to the virus and fail to seek the post-exposure treatment that can prevent the onset of symptoms and death. In the United States, around 70% of rabies cases in humans are associated with bats, despite the fact that less than 1% of bats carry the virus.
Public health officials in regions where bat rabies is prevalent have increased their efforts to raise awareness about the risks posed by bats and the importance of seeking medical advice after any potential contact. Even waking up in a room where a bat is present is considered a possible exposure, as there is a chance the bat could have bitten or scratched the person while they were asleep.
Rabies is not endemic in the United Kingdom, thanks to strict controls on animal movements and successful vaccination programs for pets. However, rabies remains a “rare but serious infection” that is “almost always fatal once symptoms appear,” according to the National Health Service (NHS). The majority of rabies cases in the UK have been imported, with 26 cases recorded since 1946, all involving people who were infected while travelling abroad.
Europe has seen significant progress in controlling rabies through widespread dog vaccination programs and oral rabies vaccination campaigns targeting wildlife such as foxes, which were once a major reservoir of the virus. As a result, many European countries have achieved rabies-free status in domestic animals, although wildlife rabies persists in some areas.
In recent years, there have been occasional rabies cases in travellers returning from countries where the disease is still endemic. For example, in 2018, a British man died from rabies after being bitten by a dog while on holiday in Morocco. This case, like others before it, highlights the importance of seeking prompt medical treatment, including post-exposure prophylaxis, after any bite or scratch from a potentially rabid animal while abroad.
Asia and Africa bear the highest burden of rabies-related deaths, accounting for over 95% of all human fatalities. In these regions, domestic dogs remain the primary source of infection, and many cases go unreported due to a lack of awareness, poor healthcare infrastructure, and limited access to rabies vaccines and treatment.
India alone is responsible for approximately 36% of the global rabies death toll, with an estimated 20,000 people dying from the disease each year. The majority of these deaths occur in rural areas where stray dog populations are high, and access to post-exposure treatment is limited. Although rabies is preventable through vaccination, the cost of treatment remains prohibitive for many families in low-income regions, leading to unnecessary deaths.
Efforts to control rabies in these regions have focused on mass dog vaccination campaigns, public education initiatives, and improving access to post-exposure treatment. The WHO has set a goal to eliminate human rabies transmitted by dogs by 2030, but achieving this will require sustained international collaboration and investment in rabies control programs, particularly in underserved areas.
In Africa, rabies is also a significant public health problem, with thousands of human deaths each year. Like in Asia, domestic dogs are the main source of rabies transmission, and many cases occur in rural communities where healthcare resources are scarce. In countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia, rabies control programs are being implemented to reduce the number of human fatalities through dog vaccination and improved access to rabies vaccines for humans.
The key to preventing rabies lies in widespread vaccination programs for animals, particularly dogs, and ensuring that people exposed to the virus receive prompt treatment. In regions where rabies is endemic, mass dog vaccination campaigns have proven to be one of the most effective strategies for reducing the incidence of the disease in both animals and humans. Vaccinating 70% of the dog population in a given area can significantly reduce the risk of rabies transmission and prevent human deaths.
In addition to animal vaccination, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for humans is critical in preventing rabies after potential exposure. PEP involves a series of rabies vaccinations administered immediately after exposure, which can prevent the onset of symptoms and death if given promptly. In many cases, people are unaware of the importance of seeking treatment after a bite or scratch from an animal, particularly in areas where rabies is not commonly encountered. Public education campaigns play an essential role in raising awareness about the risks of rabies and the need for immediate medical attention following exposure.
International organisations such as the WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) are working together to promote rabies control programs and achieve the goal of eliminating human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030. These efforts include mass dog vaccination campaigns, improving access to rabies vaccines for humans, and increasing public awareness about the disease.
Rabies remains a significant public health issue worldwide, particularly in low-income regions where access to vaccines and healthcare is limited. While countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States have made great strides in controlling rabies through pet vaccination programs and public education, recent cases involving bats serve as a reminder that the disease is still a threat, even in areas where it is rare.
The tragic death of a child in Canada highlights the importance of vigilance when it comes to rabies, particularly in regions where bats are known to carry the virus. Public health officials must continue to raise awareness about the risks of rabies and ensure that people seek prompt medical treatment after any potential exposure. At the same time, efforts to control rabies in endemic regions through mass dog vaccination campaigns and improved access to post-exposure prophylaxis must be intensified if the global goal of eliminating human rabies deaths by 2030 is to be achieved.
Rabies is preventable, and no one should die from this ancient and deadly disease. Through continued international collaboration, investment in rabies control programs, and public education, we can move closer to a world free of rabies.
KEEP US ALIVE and join us in helping to bring reality and decency back by SUBSCRIBING to our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ1Ll1ylCg8U19AhNl-NoTg AND SUPPORTING US where you can: Award Winning Independent Citizen Media Needs Your Help. PLEASE SUPPORT US FOR JUST £2 A MONTH https://dorseteye.com/donate/
