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How do you prevent rabies?
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Identification and destruction of animals with rabies, as well as prevention of human disease after infection. Veterinary and sanitary supervision includes mandatory registration of dogs with their universal immunization against rabies, isolation of stray dogs and cats, reduction of the number of predators around human housing, timely laboratory diagnostics, quarantine in the outbreak, sanitary and veterinary propaganda.
In case of bites by domestic animals (dog, cat), it is important to establish whether these bites were provoked. In addition, the animal is monitored and the anamnesis regarding rabies is clarified. If the animals are healthy, the victims do not need preventive measures against rabies. If the domestic animal has disappeared after an attack on a person, as well as in all cases of attacks by wild animals (fox, wolf, raccoon, etc.), it is necessary to begin anti-rabies measures. This is local treatment, the introduction of an anti-rabies vaccine and anti-rabies immunoglobulin.
Local treatment of rabies involves immediate washing of the wound with plenty of soapy water followed by treatment with iodine tincture. Surgical excision of the wound edges and its suturing are strictly contraindicated.
After wound treatment, active-passive immunization is carried out.
- Passive immunization.
- Anti-rabies immunoglobulin from the plasma of a person vaccinated with an anti-rabies vaccine.
- Anti-rabies immunoglobulin from hyperimmune horse serum (anti-rabies immunoglobulin).
- Active immunization.
- Anti-rabies vaccine, culture-based, inactivated, dry, for human immunization (Rabivak-Vnukovo-32, KAV) is a weakened rabies virus grown in a culture of Syrian hamster kidney cells, inactivated by ultraviolet rays.
- Anti-rabies vaccine, culture-based, purified, inactivated, concentrated, dry (KOKAV) - its higher activity allows the immunization course to be reduced from 24 to 6 injections.
The rabies vaccine Rabivac is administered subcutaneously at 3 ml (1 dose) into the anterior surface of the abdominal wall, and the concentrated vaccine is administered only intramuscularly at 1 ml (1 dose). In addition to domestic vaccines, the rabies vaccine Rabipur is approved for use. Simultaneously with the first dose of the vaccine, it is recommended to administer anti-rabies immunoglobulin, which will provide immunity from the start of treatment until the active production of antibodies to the vaccine. In the absence of human anti-rabies immunoglobulin as a carrier of passive antibodies, anti-rabies immunoglobulin should be administered with mandatory monitoring of the increased sensitivity of the victim's body to the foreign protein.