Rabies is an acute progressive encephalomyelitis caused by the rabies virus. India accounts for an average of 20,000 deaths annually due to the human rabies virus. Although this condition is 100% fatal but can be prevented by the use of proper prophylactic measures. 1,2 This article highlights the burden of rabies in India, clinical features, and the approach to post-exposure prophylaxis for its prevention.
Burden In India India is an endemic rabies country, where every animal bite, especially by dogs and cats, are suspected as a rabid animal bite and may cause human rabies. 3 The higher incidences of disease (Figure 1) in India have been persistent for a decade, without any significant decrease in numbers. The people with lower socio-economic backgrounds and children aged 5-15 years are mainly affected by rabies. 2 …
