The results of this survey reveal that the majority of French people (86%) know that the bite of an animal contaminated with rabies is a risk of transmission of the virus, on the other hand, they are not aware of the other modes of propagation of this disease. Only 10% of people surveyed know that touching a carrier animal, alive or dead, is enough to transmit the virus, and only 3% and 1% are aware that being licked or scratched presents a danger.
Nearly two thirds of respondents (64%) believe that a person with rabies can be cured. Wrongly, because the disease is almost always fatal as soon as the symptoms appear.
The rabies virus is transmitted to humans through the saliva of animals (domestic or wild) infected during a bite or scratch. Vaccination, performed within a few hours of contact with a suspected animal, helps prevent the onset of rabies and death.
Rabies kills more than 55,000 people worldwide each year, mainly in Africa and Asia. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent this disease transmitted from animals to humans. “Every year, more than 15 million people worldwide are vaccinated after exposure to prevent the onset of rabies. But that is not enough. The lack of funds devoted to preventive vaccination would cost the lives of thousands of children each year”, recalls the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). An infuriating observation when we know that only a tenth of the sum allocated to patient care would make it possible to vaccinate all vulnerable populations (exposed to a case of rabies).
Precautions when traveling with a pet
If you are traveling with a pet, precautions are also necessary. You must “contact the veterinarian 4 months before departure, the animal must be identified by its passport, its vaccines must be up to date, a blood test is necessary for countries at risk”.
On your return to France, it is essential to present your pet to the customs authorities. “Failure to comply with regulatory obligations is punishable by criminal penalties (article L237-3 of the Rural Code and maritime fishing)”, recalls the ministry.
You can check the list countries at risk on the ministry’s website.
Read also:
“Beware of rabies”: the awareness campaign aimed at travelers
Rabies: the worrying human cost linked to the lack of vaccination
Dog bite: 4 good reflexes
