J&K Classifies Rabies as a Notifiable Disease

Source- This post on Rabies has been created based on the article “Jammu And Kashmir | Govt Declares Human Rabies A Notifiable Disease” published in “Daily Excelsior” on 2 June 2024.

Why in News?

The government of Jammu and Kashmir has classified human rabies as a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897.

About Rabies

1. Nature of Disease: Rabies is a zoonotic, viral disease preventable by vaccine, caused by the RABV virus.

2. Affected System: It primarily targets the central nervous system, causing severe brain disease and, ultimately, death if treatment is not administered before symptoms appear.

3. Transmission:

a) Main Carriers: Domestic dogs are the primary transmitters of the rabies virus to humans in up to 99% of cases. It can affect both domestic and wild animals.

b) Mode of Spread: The virus spreads to humans and animals through saliva, typically via bites, scratches, or direct contact with mucous membranes (e.g., eyes, mouth, or open wounds).

5. Symptoms:

i) Early Signs: Initial symptoms include lethargy, fever, vomiting, and anorexia.

ii) Advanced Symptoms: Rapid progression to cerebral dysfunction, ataxia, paralysis, difficulties in breathing and swallowing, excessive salivation, unusual behavior, aggressiveness, and self-mutilation.

iii) Outcome: Once clinical symptoms manifest, rabies is almost always fatal.

6. Prevention:

i) Rabies can be prevented through vaccination.

ii) The most cost-effective method to prevent rabies in humans is by vaccinating dogs, including puppies, to cut off the transmission at its source.

7. Treatment:

i) Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): Treatment after exposure to rabies includes wound care, administration of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG), and a series of four or five rabies vaccines.

ii) This treatment is nearly 100% effective in preventing the disease if given promptly after exposure.

About notifiable disease

1. About: A notifiable disease is one that law mandates must be reported to government authorities. This reporting helps in monitoring the disease and providing early warnings of potential outbreaks. Here’s who notifies these diseases and how the notification process works:

2. Who Notifies:

i) Healthcare Providers: Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are typically required to report cases of notifiable diseases.

ii) Laboratories: Medical laboratories must report findings that indicate the presence of notifiable diseases.

iii) Hospitals and Clinics: Both government and private hospitals and clinics are responsible for reporting cases of notifiable diseases.

3. How They Notify:

i) Written Notification: For most diseases, healthcare providers must fill out a specific form detailing the case and submit it to local or state health authorities within three days.

ii) Verbal Notification: In urgent situations, healthcare providers are required to report cases verbally via phone within 24 hours.

iii) Electronic Reporting Systems: Some regions may use electronic health records and reporting systems to streamline the notification process

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