After the cases of rabies that occurred in the state of Oaxaca, now a woman who was bitten by her cat, which was not vaccinated, the first case in all of Mexico of human rabies transmitted by a domestic cat was confirmed.
The events occurred in the state of Nayarit, and for the study of this case, samples were obtained from the patient and sent to the Institute of Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference (InDRE) by the federal government.
According to the results, high levels of immunoglobulins were shown in the cerebrospinal fluid, which together with the clinical and epidemiological criteria reviewed in an expert session, the patient has a rabies virus infection.
It should be noted that this event would correspond in Mexico as the first case of human rabies transmitted by a cat, possibly associated with wildlife and diagnosed as antemortem.
HOW THE EVENTS HAPPENED:
On November 13, a 29-year-old woman was bitten by a domestic cat she owned that had not been vaccinated against rabies, which exhibited aggressive behavior and died three days later.
Almost four weeks later, the patient began with nervous symptoms compatible with rabies. She is currently receiving medical care at the Dr. Antonio González Hospital de Especialidades IMSS-Bienestar in Tepic, showing hemodynamic stability of vital signs, and removing sedation.
In order to limit new cases, the agency carried out rabies control activities in the community of residence of the person who was bitten by their cat, beginning with house-to-house tours and providing anti-rabies vaccination to dogs and cats, an activity that It will finish the following week.
SYMPTOMS OF RABIES:
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 is called the incubation period. That can last weeks or months. The incubation period may vary depending on
The first symptoms of rabies can be very similar to those of the flu, such as 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 develop 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.
Only fewer than 20 cases of human survival to clinical rabies have been documented. Only some of them had no history of pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis.
Source: TH
