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Articles on Rabies

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Louis Pasteur was a pioneer in chemistry, microbiology, immunology and vaccinology. pictore/DigitalVision Vectors via Getty Images

Louis Pasteur’s scientific discoveries in the 19th century revolutionized medicine and continue to save the lives of millions today

On World Rabies Day – which is also the anniversary of French microbiologist Louis Pasteur’s death – a virologist reflects on the achievements of this visionary scientist.
In Kenya, rabies is endemic across the country and has been estimated to cause 2,000 deaths annually. Author provided

People will continue to die of rabies if Kenya doesn’t educate healthcare workers

Kenya should improve access to life saving vaccines, and train healthcare workers on patient management and best practices.
Vaccinating domestic dogs is a successful and cost-effective way to prevent rabies in dogs. Sarah Cleaveland

Vaccinating domestic dogs reduces rabies in the wild. Why this matters

Domestic dogs have been shown to be the only species necessary to maintain rabies across most of Africa. This means that dog vaccination should control the disease in all species.
Raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats are all hosts of specific rabies virus variants. Humans can be infected by them all. (Shutterstock)

Rabies: How it spreads and how to protect yourself

Rabies is almost always fatal once the symptoms appear. It is also completely preventable, so long as you know how to protect yourself.
Tackling local diseases like rabies could help health authorities identify new outbreaks more easily. N. Bastiaensen/World Organisation for Animal Health

Dealing with local diseases helps countries tackle new outbreaks

By tackling local threats and controlling existing diseases, countries are able to build the capacity needed to deal with future emerging disease threats.
Awareness and knowledge about rabies at a local level is key. This can help prevent bites and encourage people to get post-exposure treatment. Sarah Cleaveland

How to end human deaths from rabies: lessons from Kenya

The strategy to eliminate human rabies is straight forward: vaccinate dogs, provide prompt post-exposure vaccines, public education and awareness on prevention.

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