Rabies – an infectious disease with a fatal outcome (clinical case)

Abstract

Actuality. Rabies is an acute, progressive, incurable infectious disease accompanied by viral encephalitis. The main reservoirs of the virus in wild nature are two genera of mammals, but the greatest danger worldwide is rabid dogs. Today, rabies is registered in 150 countries and territories of the world, on all continents except Antarctica. Aim. To assess the current situation regarding rabies in Ukraine in general and in the Vinnytsia region in particular, we collected information on the current state of rabies cases and analyzed the medical record of a patient hospitalized with this disease. Results. The clinical case described by us is intended to draw attention to the problem of the rabies spreading, to raise awareness of the consequences of this disease and ways of its prevention, since the problem is not only medical, but also nationwide. Conclusions. It is necessary to review the established restrictions and bans on hunting both throughout the territory of Ukraine in general and in the Vinnytsia region in particular. It is worth paying more attention to informing the population with the help of mass media and preventive work of doctors. It is advisable to take measures to strengthen control over vaccination of domestic animals. It is extremely important to ensure that sufficient amounts of vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin are available. The information provided will be useful to infectious disease doctors, epidemiologists, traumatologists, family doctors, and students of medical universities and colleges.