Knowing How Infectious Diseases Spread Will Help Protect You From Getting Sick
Rabies is a serious disease and is almost always fatal. It is caused by a deadly virus and spreads through the bite of an infected animal. More than half of all people who get rabies are children under the age of 15. It can be the result of a dog bite, especially stray dogs, infected with the virus. Any mammal can get rabies, including household pets like cats and ferrets. In the United States, wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats are often carriers. By the time the symptoms become apparent, it is often way too late to save the patient. Hence proper safety measures have to be adopted to protect your kids from getting rabies.
Things You Should Do Include:
1. Educate your child about rabies. Make sure they learn some basic rules about protecting themselves from animals. When visiting the zoo, warn your kids not to tease the animals and let them know these are wild animals that react on instinct alone. Some of them may be aggressive, while others may behave the exact opposite, appearing tamer than you would expect. Do not allow your kids to go near the cage or touch them. If they find a sick or dead animal, ask them to leave it alone.
2. Teach them how to behave with animals to avoid getting bitten. Kids would not want to pull their ears or tails, bother them while they sleep, run fast in front of them, or tease them.
3. If your children are bitten by an animal, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water and get medical care immediately. The incident must be reported to Animal Control authorities.
4. Explain the dangers involved if your kids got bitten or licked by any animal and ask them to inform an adult immediately. You should also examine them regularly and if you find any cuts and scratches, ask them how that happened.
5. If you come across a sick or suspicious-acting animal, contact Animal Control. Never touch them with your bare hands.
6. Take your pets to a veterinarian on a regular basis and talk to them about vaccinations. This is very important to prevent rabies. Don’t let your pets roam or interact with stray animals.
7. There are many websites where children can learn about how rabies affects animals and humans.
8. Since September 28th is the World Rabies Day, you can organize an awareness campaign in your community and share knowledge about this dangerous disease and the importance to keep away from stray animals. In view of their popularity, versatility, and easy customizable nature, silicone wristbands can be used as a giveaway gift in your campaign which is the best way to create awareness. Get them printed with messages like “Protect Your Child from Rabies” or this year’s theme “End Rabies Together” and distribute to all the participants in your event to spread the word. These products are ideal for everyday wear and you can easily customize them online.
Let us end rabies together!