Mexico reports death of a child infected with rabies after being bitten by a bat

Mexican health authorities reported that a minor who died on December 30 in the town of Palo de Lima, municipality of San Lorenzo Texmelucan (Oaxaca, southern Mexico), tested positive for rabies variant V3.

Gabriel García, general director of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Health, detailed the minor of 7 years had been bitten by a blood-sucking batthat is, it feeds on the blood of mammals.

In addition, two of the boy’s sisters, who were also attacked by the bat, remain hospitalized.

The sample was taken from the minor who died, which was sent to the Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference Institute (InDRE). The positive result was confirmed after the application of the direct immunofluorescence technique and virus genotyping of this disease.

García assured that this disease is present throughout the world, and it is estimated that there are 11 variants of rabies and nine of them circulate in Mexico.

Likewise, the official pointed out that this virus can affect cats, dogs, foxes and other animals, and although it has been possible to eradicate it in the canine population with vaccination, it is still present in wild animals.

To reduce the risk of being in contact with rabid animals, the head of Epidemiology recommended to vaccinate pets (dogs and cats); as far as possible, avoid contact with wild animals; and do not approach or manipulate wildlife.

In addition, he urged the population to take care of girls and boys, since the curiosity of childhood leads them to approach wild animals to play and caress them, which puts them at risk of being attacked and suffering an injury.

He indicated that, in case of having contact with wild animals, You should go to the health services so that medical personnel can identify the risk and offer vaccination or immunoglobulin treatment.

Another case in a woman

On the other hand, the Ministry of Health of Nayarit (western Mexico) confirmed that a 29-year-old woman, originally from Compostela, also tested positive for rabiesas revealed by the InDRE results. The patient had been bitten by a semi-domestic cat last November.

“Currently (the woman) is receiving medical attention at the IMSS-Bienestar Dr. Antonio González Guevara Specialty Hospital, showing hemodynamic stability and vital signs and removing sedation. With prognosis for life reserved ”, detailed the State Health Secretariat.

Between the community where the patient lives and her relatives an epidemiological fence was established since November. In addition, health personnel undertook a massive house-to-house vaccination campaign to immunize dogs and cats.

“In Mexico, this would correspond to the first case of human rabies transmitted by a domestic cat possibly associated with wildlife and diagnosed antemortem,” the entity clarified.

According to Mexican media reports, the cat _ possibly infected by wildlife _ was not vaccinated against the rabies virus, behaved aggressively and died three days after the attack on the woman.

viral zoonoses

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) details that rabies is a viral zoonosis that affects all mammals, whether domestic or wild, including man, and is transmitted through contact with infected saliva through bites or scratches.

This disease is present on all continents and affects more than 150 countries. In the world, the disease is responsible for about 60,000 human deaths annually and in the vast majority of human cases, the dog is the source of transmission.

The Americas have managed to drastically reduce the incidence of human rabies transmitted by dogs to about 98%, with around 300 cases in 1983, to 2 human cases transmitted by dogs in 2020. However, in recent years, rabies in humans transmitted by wild animals acquires greater importance, being the blood-sucking bat (Desmodus rotundus-common vampire) the main transmitter.

Currently, in the Americas region alone, one million people at risk of rabies receive post-exposure prophylaxis each year. Also, close to 100 million dogs are vaccinated each year in vaccination campaigns against rabies in the American continent.

Symptoms

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC indicates that after exposure to rabies, before the virus can cause symptoms, it must pass through the body and reach the brain. This time between exposure and the onset of symptoms, which can last weeks or months, is called incubation period.

The incubation period may vary depending on:

• Wherever the exposure site (distance to the brain).
• The type of rabies virus.
• existing immunity.

The first symptoms of rabies can be very similar to the flu, such as general weakness or malaise, fever, or headache. Rabies can also cause discomfort or a stinging or stinging sensation at the bite site. These symptoms can last several days.

Symptoms then progress to brain dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, and agitation. As the disease progresses, the person may present delusions, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, hydrophobia (fear of water), and insomnia.

The acute period of the disease usually ends after 2 to 10 days. Once clinical signs of rabies appear, the disease is almost always fatal. and treatment is usually supportive. (YO)