1. Rabies Virus
Ways of transmission: Bitten or scratched by an infected animal, where infected saliva touches the wound.
Pathogenesis and symptoms found: Incubation period 1-3 months, the virus spreads through the central nervous system and affects the brain and spinal cord. Death is often caused by acute heart failure or paralysis.
Treatment
- If bitten or scratched by an infected animal or an unknown source (assume that the animal was infected first), clean the wound within 15 minutes with soap and water and use a wound cleanser such as povidone-iodine. Then, get vaccinated against the virus immediately (within 24 hours after being bitten or scratched by an animal).
– If symptoms start to appear, treatment is often ineffective and there is a high chance of death.
Prevention guidelines
– Vaccinate animals annually.
– Control stray dogs and imported animals
2. Hantavirus
Transmission route: Occurs through inhalation of rodent excrement, such as droplets from rat urine and feces, etc.
Pathogenesis: Incubation period 1-8 weeks, usually asymptomatic in animals, and not transmitted from person to person.
Symptoms: Fever, chills, muscle aches. After 1-2 days, dry cough, headache, nausea, vomiting, or shortness of breath are common.
Treatment: Treat according to symptoms.
Prevention guidelines: Controlling rat and rodent populations
3. West Nile Virus Disease
Transmission channels: The disease can be transmitted by many animals, especially mosquitoes and wild birds. People can be infected by mosquito bites, but it is rarely transmitted from person to person. In the case of human-to-human transmission, it is transmitted through organ transplants, blood transfusions, and from mother to child (through the placenta).
Pathogenesis and symptoms found: In humans, symptoms are mild and encephalitis is rare. However, in horses, symptoms are usually asymptomatic, but if symptoms occur, encephalitis is a high mortality rate. 33%
Treatment: Treat according to symptoms.
Prevention guidelines: Vaccinate horses and prevent mosquitoes.
Dr.Sasipat Kittisarathamma (Dr.Mook)
Department of Internal Medicine, Ultrasound Department
English