A dog bite can look deceptively harmless: a tiny puncture, a scratch or a small break in the skin.
But if the animal is infected with rabies, that seemingly minor wound can become the entry point for a deadly virus that travels through the nervous system towards the brain.
Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease caused by viruses in the Lyssavirus genus that attacks the central nervous system. Once clinical symptoms appear, the disease is almost invariably fatal.
WHO estimates that rabies kills about 59,000 people globally each year, with children disproportionately affected. Dogs account for up to 99 per cent of human transmissions.
In Kenya, the disease remains a serious concern, with gaps in animal vaccination, surveillance, awareness and timely access to post-exposure treatment.
The virus spreads mainly through bites or scratches from infected animals, travelling through the nerves towards the brain. Early symptoms may include fever, muscle pain and tingling around the wound. Once neurological symptoms appear, including confusion, difficulty swallowing and paralysis, rabies is almost invariably fatal.
“Rabies is unique in medicine because it is 100 per cent fatal, yet 100 per cent preventable,” says Dr Andrew Wakhisi, a veterinary public health specialist. “The tragedy isn’t that we lack the tools to cure it; it’s that people die from a disease we already know how to stop. By the time a patient feels that first tingling sensation around the wound, the virus has already spread.”
Veterinary Wakhisi says prevention starts with the dog.
“Prevention must begin long before an animal ever bites a human. Veterinarians play an essential role in administering mass dog vaccinations, monitoring suspected cases, educating pet owners, and enforcing responsible animal care.”
“Vaccinating a dog doesn’t just protect the animal; it builds a protective shield around your family and your neighbours,” emphasises Dr Wakhisi. “If we can achieve and maintain 70 per cent vaccination coverage in our local dog populations, we can effectively break the chain of transmission and eliminate human rabies entirely.”
This collaborative spirit was central to World Rabies Day on September 28, under the theme “Stronger Together.” Held annually on the anniversary of the death of Louis Pasteur, who developed the first rabies vaccine.
“One of the most dangerous misconceptions is waiting to see whether a dog shows signs of illness before seeking help,” warns Dr Wakhisi. “When a person is bitten, every minute matters. Washing the wound immediately and getting to a health facility for post-exposure prophylaxis can mean the difference between life and death.”
If exposed, act immediately. Wash the wound with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes, then seek medical care for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which may include rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin.
Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but prompt treatment can prevent it. The bite may be small, but every minute counts.