Rural areas warned about ‘rabies’

The President of the Kayseri Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons, Akgün Ergül, stated that the rabies virus is very dangerous and can show symptoms in humans even after 280 days, emphasizing the need for rural residents to vaccinate their animals regularly every year. Rabies is a zoonotic disease that can also be transmitted from animals to humans, explained Akgün Ergül, President of the Kayseri Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons, adding that rabies can be seen periodically in many parts of Turkey. He further explained that foxes are the natural carriers of rabies, although they rarely die from it, they can transmit the rabies virus to other animals when they bite them. Therefore, if a dog on the street bites another animal and if the rabies virus is present in that animal, it can be transmitted. In cases where rabies cases were seen in two districts in Hatay due to a dog attacking a large animal, the important part is the quarantine measures taken by both the health directorate and the agriculture and forestry directorate. Quarantine measures are being implemented, with restrictions on animal movements in those areas being imposed. Moreover, an additional measure that can be taken is that a 10-kilometer radius from the outbreak site can also be quarantined. The quarantine will continue for about 5-6 months unless a negative outbreak is observed in that area. Ergül stressed the importance of citizens being very cautious about the virus, especially those who directly care for animals such as cats, dogs, or large animals, as it is very difficult to observe rabies. He emphasized that rabies is 100% preventable with vaccination, but in the absence of vaccination, rabies can be 100% fatal. Therefore, if a person is scratched or bitten by a dog on the street, they should go to the nearest health facility to receive the vaccination, as it is difficult to determine if the animal has been vaccinated or not. Ergül also mentioned that rabies does not only spread through direct bites, but also through contact with infected saliva from the animal, emphasizing the need for people to be very careful in such situations. He added that regional health directorates and agriculture and forestry directorates take necessary quarantine measures when rabies cases are detected in a specific area, ensuring that all animals, whether large or small, are vaccinated against rabies. Ergül highlighted the importance of rural residents getting their animals vaccinated against rabies every year to ensure protection. He explained that the same vaccine can be used for small and large livestock as well as street animals, and it is applied at a cost of around 11 TL by agricultural district directorates due to being a zoonotic disease and a threat to public health. Ergül further emphasized that rural residents, especially those who raise sheep or large livestock, should have their animals vaccinated against rabies every year, as it is mandatory for those who have shepherd dogs at home. He encouraged them to apply for vaccination for their animals to ensure protection.