Russia reports 1st human rabies death in Omsk since 2004
Omsk Oblast is located in southwestern Siberia, Russia
The regional Rospotrebnadzor, or The Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported a human death from rabies in the Omsk region, the first such case in 19 years.
According to a TASS report, “In November, in the Kolosovsky district, a case of human rabies was registered, which ended in death. The victim was bitten by a dog on October 10, but did not seek medical help. On October 31, an emergency medical team took him to a treatment and preventive organization, a course of anti-rabies vaccinations was started, but "due to late treatment, anti-rabies treatment had no effect. The last time in the Omsk region a case of human rabies infection was registered in 2004 in the Krutinsky district”, the press service of the regional Rospotrebnadzor said.
According to the federal Rospotrebnadzor, in 2022, only two cases of human rabies infection were registered in all of Russia.
Omsk region State Veterinary Administration has reported an increase in animal rabies this year—28 cases of the disease so far this year in the region, compared to five in all of last year.
Rabies is an acute viral infection that is transmitted to humans or other mammals usually through the saliva from a bite of an infected animal. It is also rarely contracted through breaks in the skin or contact with mucous membranes.
According to the Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, all mammals are susceptible to rabies. Raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, dogs, coyotes and cats are the likely suspects. Other animals like otters and ferrets are also high risk. Mammals like rabbits, squirrels, rodents and opossums are rarely infected.
Initially, like in many diseases, the symptoms of rabies are non-specific; fever, headache and malaise. This may last several days. At the site of the bite there may be some pain and discomfort. Symptoms then progress to more severe: confusion, delirium, abnormal behavior and hallucinations. If it gets this far, the disease is nearly 100% fatal.
If you are exposed, first, clean the wound well with soap and water for 5-10 minutes. This will help reduce the chance of getting other bacterial infections and some studies show it can reduce the likelihood of getting rabies.
Seek medical attention. Though technically not a medical emergency, it is important to seek medical attention quickly so proper, timely treatment is given. If you have to shoot or otherwise kill the animal, take care not to damage the head. The brain will be required for rabies testing.
Your doctor will evaluate the type of exposure (bite, scratch), and the type of animal that you had contact with. If post-exposure treatment is required — Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) consists of a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and rabies vaccine series.