Prof. Dr. Tuğba Sarı, Faculty Member at the Department of Infectious Diseases at PAU Hospitals, shared the following information in her statement: “Every year, thousands of people in our country seek medical attention due to exposure to rabies. Once rabies symptoms begin, the disease is fatal. Therefore, proper wound care and timely vaccination save lives. I would like to draw attention to rabies, which continues to pose a threat to public health, and to ways of preventing the disease. Rabies, which causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord (encephalomyelitis) in humans and many mammalian animals, is an acute viral zoonotic disease that can result in death within an average of 18 days after the onset of symptoms. Worldwide, between 40,000 and 100,000 people die from rabies every year. Türkiye is one of the few countries on the European continent where dog-mediated rabies is observed. More than 200,000 citizens in our country are vaccinated every year due to exposure to rabies. This creates a significant economic and social health burden. The vast majority of cases are caused by stray cats and dogs and domestic animals that are not adequately protected from wildlife. In cats and dogs carrying the virus, death invariably occurs within 10 days. Following a bite by a rabid animal, the incubation period of the disease generally ranges from 14 to 90 days. However, this period can be much longer. While the incubation period can be as short as four days, cases lasting 27 months, 6 years, and even 19 years have been reported in the medical literature. Unfortunately, once clinical signs appear, modern medicine has very little left to offer. There is no specific treatment for the disease, and patients die under intensive care conditions. Vaccines administered after symptoms have begun are also ineffective. Therefore, it is vital to seek medical attention after a potentially risky exposure without waiting for symptoms to appear.”

Prof. Dr. Sarı: “The Life-Saving First Step: Water and Soap for 15 Minutes”

Prof. Dr. Tuğba Sarı stated that the first thing to do in the event of a bite or scratch by an animal suspected of having rabies is to wash the exposed area immediately with plenty of water and soap for at least 15 minutes, without delay, and then indicated that a healthcare facility should be visited as soon as possible for the necessary evaluations.

Emphasizing that avoiding direct contact with stray animals, having pets vaccinated regularly, and seeking medical attention without delay after any contact that may carry a risk of rabies are of great importance in preventing rabies, Prof. Dr. Tuğba Sarı continued: “One of the most important steps that must be taken without delay in the event of a suspected exposure is proper wound care. In order to prevent the virus from progressing along the nervous system and reaching the brain, the wound must be thoroughly cleaned with plenty of running water, water and soap, for 10–15 minutes. We know that this simple yet vital practice significantly reduces the risk of rabies transmission. After wound care, it is necessary to visit the nearest healthcare facility without delay. Injuries to areas close to the brain, particularly the head, neck, and face, as well as injuries to areas with a high density of nerve tissue, such as the fingers, carry a higher risk. Therefore, it is of great importance not to delay seeking medical attention following such exposures. Modern rabies vaccines administered free of charge at healthcare facilities and, when necessary, rabies immunoglobulin (RIG), provide an extremely high level of protection against the disease when administered at the correct dose and at the appropriate time. In combating rabies, not only post-exposure treatments but also raising public awareness and expanding preventive measures are of great importance. In the fight against rabies, records of cases involving risky exposures should be maintained regularly, oral rabies vaccination campaigns targeting wild animals should be continued consistently, and domestic animals should be vaccinated regularly.”