Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Jeffrey Schultze | Avoiding animals can prevent rabies.... read more read more
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JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- General Order 1B strictly and clearly prohibits caring for or feeding any type of domestic or wild animal, to include keeping "mascots."
Although they may seem cute and cuddly, animals like cats and dogs could be harboring rabies.
"Rabies is a virus that attacks the central nervous system," said Senior Airman Hailey Costill, 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group Public Health flight public health technician. "It is spread through the saliva of animals with the disease."
Rabies can be transmitted through bites, scratches or if any fur-bearing animal (mammals, to include bats) licks mucous membranes, such as the eyes and nose.
Once rabies is transmitted, it may not be apparent.
"Rabies can remain dormant for a while and a person infected may only feel like they have the flu," said Costill, who is deployed from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. "Once the symptoms are felt, the person is already in the late stages and the disease becomes fatal at that point."
Costill explained that if the disease is treated properly, there is a 99 percent chance of survival. If left untreated until symptoms are evident, the disease is 100% fatal.
Someone or something affected with rabies may appear unpredictable and may show nervousness, agitation or excitability. The disease also affects the salivary glands, which causes foaming of the mouth and overactive tear ducts. Anyone who thinks they may have rabies should proceed to the emergency room immediately.
"Animals with rabies may act friendly toward a person and then attack once someone comes near it," said Costill, who is originally from Greenville, S.C. "Also, because of the long incubation period of rabies, an animal could look fine, but still spread the virus."
Most animals in Iraq are not vaccinated for rabies, since they are not kept as a pet, which means there is a higher risk of rabies here. The best way to avoid rabies is to stay away from all fur-bearing animals.
"About 25 percent of all animal samples that are tested come back with positive results," said Costill.
If an animal is found on base, please contact the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Pest Management flight at 433-8126.
For more information, contact the 332nd EMDG Public Health flight at 443-2700 or visit them at the Air Force Theater Hospital.
| Date Taken: | 10.22.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.24.2011 09:19 |
| Story ID: | 78907 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 526 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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