The last case of human rabies recorded in Guyana dates back to 2008. However, this virus has not left the territory. Some are still carriers. World Rabies Day is held on September 28, 2022, an opportunity to remember the actions to take to avoid the disease.
Since 2007, September 28 has been World Rabies Day. This date is associated with the death of the creator of the vaccine against rabies, the famous Louis Pasteur. In Guyana, where the first edition is being held this year, the last case of human rabies dates back to 2008 and the last case of canine rabies was in 2015. On our territory, there is an anti-rabies center, it is located at the Center Hospitalier de Cayenne (CHC).
“Its mission is to take care of anyone who has been exposed to a risk of contamination with the rabies virus.“, explains Brigitte Roman-Laverdure, nurse and author of the 2021 anti-rabies center activity report. This center works in collaboration with doctors, veterinary services, the Pasteur Institute and the ARS. It is made up of several nurses and a referring doctor. The establishment lists reports of bites from all over the territory.
It is also about preventive treatments, in particular intended for the professionals often exposed to this risk. Last year, 660 people visited the rabies centre, 20% of whom were under 15. 71% of consultations were linked to dog bites and 14% to bats. Otherwise, 75% of animal contacts were pets, but only 16% had an up-to-date rabies vaccination. This is the reason why such a day exists.
The message to convey today is that everyone is concerned by this fight. Many people think that rabies no longer exists in Guyana, although it is present. Everyone must bring their stone to the building. It must go through animal owners (who must vaccinate them against rabies, editor’s note), but also people who have been bitten or scratched, and even professionals”.
Brigitte ROMAN-LAVERDURE, nurse at the anti-rabies center in Cayenne
The importance of pet vaccination
Rabies is transmitted from the animal (all mammals: dog, cat, monkey, wood pig, sloth, yaws and bats) to the man. For example, a bat carrying the virus can transmit it to a human or transmit it to a dog, which will then infect a human. Transmission occurs through direct contact: biting, scratching or licking when the rabid animal is in the salivary excretion phase.
This is the reason why rabies vaccination of pets is important. It should be done every three years, if not every year. For this same reason, Brigitte Roman-Laverdure reminds us that we must also avoid approaching wild and stray animals. And yes, it also means avoiding feeding the monkeys you see at Îlet la Mère.
Have you been bitten by an animal carrying rabies? Take the contact details of the owner of the animal that bit you if possiblewash the wound (at least 15 minutes) as soon as possible with soap and water, use a disinfectant to clean the wound, consult your doctor to assess the severity of the wound.
Finally, call the rabies center to find out what to do (0594 39 51 00). It is located at the CHC, within the UMIT consultation. It is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. These gestures are very important. And for good reason, once the signs are declared, the infected person has a 100% chance of dying.
On average, it takes between three weeks and three months for the disease to reach the brain (the closer the wound, the shorter the incubation period, editor’s note) […] Once the person introduces himself [au centre antirabique], she receives treatment, but before that, there is a follow-up. The person is not supposed to monitor the appearance of symptoms on him, but on the biting animal. This is what will determine if it has actually been exposed.
Brigitte ROMAN-LAVERDURE, nurse at the anti-rabies center in Cayenne
It is therefore important to retrieve the contact details of the owner of the biting animal when you have the possibility. If not, the treatment can still be administered.