Rabies is a naturally focal infection that poses a serious threat to both animals and humans.
Virtually all species of terrestrial mammals are susceptible to rabies, primarily carnivores (canids, felids, mustelids, procyonids, etc.). Birds, rodents, and bats can also contract the disease.
The source of rabies is a wild animal infected in its natural environment, or a domestic animal attacked by another infected animal (wild or domestic). Humans become infected by affected animals.
This year, 1 case of rabies in a domestic dog has been registered in Lepel district. No cases of rabies were registered during the same period in 2024. Two people were affected by the rabid dog.
As of 15.07.2025, 42 people have sought medical attention for animal bites at healthcare facilities. During the same period in 2024, this figure was 36 people.
14 people, or 33.3%, were affected by stray animals. For the same period in 2024, this figure was 30.6% (11 cases).
Cases of people being attacked by animals due to violations of domestic animal keeping regulations are noted.
Healthcare facilities maintain a stable stock of anti-rabies medications. Qualified specialists are available to provide necessary assistance at any time of day. Thanks to timely implemented preventive treatment measures, cases of rabies among people have been avoided.
Knowledge of rabies prevention rules will help prevent this deadly disease. Furthermore, an animal bite can cause not only physical injury but also serious psychological trauma, especially for a child. Therefore, everyone should be aware of rabies and its prevention measures.
Humans become infected:
- through bites, scratches, or saliva from a rabid animal.
- when saliva from an animal gets onto the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, mouth, or damaged skin;
- by touching an animal or its carcass, skinning, or butchering the carcass of a rabid animal.
For rabies prevention, it is necessary to:
- vaccinate domestic dogs and cats against rabies (vaccinations are carried out at the LE "Lepel District Veterinary Station";
- Dog walking should be conducted with a muzzle and leash; do not allow them to interact with stray animals.
- Avoid contact with wild animals and do not touch the carcasses of deceased animals. As a rule, healthy wild animals avoid encounters with humans. If they do not react to the presence of humans in natural environments, and even more so, enter populated areas, there is no doubt that these are animals sick with rabies, and all personal precautions and safety measures for loved ones must be taken.
- In case of any changes in the behaviour of domestic animals, or if they are bitten by other animals, immediately contact a veterinarian. Do not kill a domestic animal that has bitten a person; it must be placed under 10-day veterinary observation.
Children often suffer from animal bites, so it is necessary to constantly conduct educational work with them and try to avoid unnecessary contact with animals, especially wild and/or stray ones. Do not play with unfamiliar dogs, cats, and other animals. Do not pick up wild animals in the dacha, forest, etc. Hedgehogs and small rodents can also be carriers of rabies. It should be taken into account that a child may forget and not tell their parents about minor injuries, especially if the contact was with an outwardly healthy animal for a short period of time.
In populated areas, measures must be taken to capture stray animals by authorised structures.
However, the responsibility for the appearance of stray animals lies with people who abandon "unnecessary" animals, who do not take measures to sterilise their pets (cats, dogs), which, roaming the streets on their own, leave numerous offspring, most of whom become stray.
If you are bitten by an animal, you must:
- Perform initial wound treatment – thoroughly wash the wound surface for at least 15 minutes with running water and soap.
- Treat the wound edges with a 5% iodine tincture.
- Apply a sterile dressing and immediately seek medical attention. Only a doctor (surgeon, traumatologist) will assess the risk of possible rabies virus infection and prescribe a vaccination course if necessary.
Residents of Lepel town and Lepel district can seek anti-rabies assistance 24/7 at the Healthcare Institution "Lepel Central District Hospital" (Lepel, Gospitalnaya St., 2, Tel. 3-43-96).
Remember! Vaccination is the only means of preventing a fatal outcome of rabies. Unauthorised interruption or discontinuation of the vaccination course can lead to tragic consequences!
Epidemiologist N.V. Pobortseva
