A VOLTA PREOCUPANTE DO VÍRUS MAIS LETAL DO MUNDO | Vírus da Raiva

Summary

The video discusses the deadly Rabies virus, its origins, transmission through animals like bats and dogs, and its devastating effects on the human brain. It highlights a tragic case of an Indigenous child in Brazil, emphasizing the virus's near-total lethality once it reaches the brain. The video traces the historical understanding of rabies, from ancient Mesopotamian texts to the scientific breakthroughs of Louis Pasteur, who created the first rabies vaccine. Despite modern treatments, rabies continues to kill tens of thousands each year, primarily due to a lack of access to vaccination. The importance of timely vaccination is stressed to prevent this fatal disease.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rabies virus, carried by bats, caused the death of a 12-year-old indigenous boy in Minas Gerais in 2002.
• 😀 Rabies is a highly lethal virus, with nearly 100% fatality once it reaches the brain, as seen in the case of Zenilton Maxakali.
• 😀 While most rabies cases in humans are transmitted through dog bites, bats, cats, and other animals are responsible for the remaining cases.
• 😀 The rabies virus affects the nervous system, causing inflammation in the brain, leading to symptoms like hallucinations and the inability to swallow.
• 😀 The term 'rabies' originates from the Greek word 'Lyssa,' which represents fury, insanity, and violence.
• 😀 Historically, rabies was considered a supernatural disease, with medieval beliefs attributing it to evil spirits.
• 😀 The virus leads to excessive salivation due to its effect on the brain and the inability to swallow, aiding in its transmission.
• 😀 Rabies was first scientifically understood by Louis Pasteur, who developed a vaccine and therapy to treat the virus in the late 19th century.
• 😀 Joseph Meister, the first person to receive Pasteur's rabies vaccine in 1885, survived the virus, demonstrating its effectiveness.
• 😀 Rabies continues to kill approximately 59,000 people worldwide each year due to a lack of access to vaccines and treatments.
• 😀 Brazil has a national rabies control program, providing universal treatment and free vaccinations for pets, but some cases still occur due to regional neglect.

Q & A

What is the main cause of human rabies infections worldwide?

The main cause of human rabies infections worldwide is bites or scratches from dogs, which account for 98% of rabies cases. Other animals like cats, bats, and wildlife make up the remaining 2%.

How does the rabies virus reach the human brain?

Once the rabies virus enters the body, typically through a bite or scratch, it travels through the muscles to the nerves, passing through the spinal cord before reaching the brain.

What role do saliva glands play in the transmission of rabies?

The rabies virus makes a stop in the salivary glands of the infected animal, where it multiplies. This is crucial because the infected saliva is then used to spread the virus to others, often via bites.

How ancient is the history of rabies and its impact on human societies?

Rabies is one of the oldest known diseases, with evidence of it being recognized as early as 4000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia, where laws were established for rabies-infected dog bites. The Greeks believed it was caused by a spirit of fury and violence.

What are the symptoms of rabies in its later stages?

In the later stages of rabies, infected individuals experience brain inflammation, hallucinations, involuntary movements, difficulty swallowing, and an inability to drink water, which can lead to coma and death.

What was the significant breakthrough made by Louis Pasteur regarding rabies?

Louis Pasteur developed a rabies vaccine in the 1880s by weakening the virus. He successfully tested this vaccine on animals, and it later saved the life of Joseph Meister, the first person to receive the vaccine.

Why is rabies so deadly, and what makes it unique compared to other viruses?

Rabies is nearly 100% fatal once it reaches the brain because it causes severe inflammation and impairs critical functions such as swallowing. What makes rabies unique is its long incubation period, which allows time for effective treatment if caught early.

How did rabies research progress after Pasteur's vaccine development?

After Pasteur's development of the vaccine, rabies treatments were widely applied, saving countless lives. His work was foundational in advancing the understanding of vaccines and immunology, and it spread globally, including in Brazil where rabies control programs were implemented.

Why is rabies still a problem in some parts of the world, despite modern treatments?

Rabies continues to be a problem due to a lack of access to vaccines and proper treatment in certain regions, especially where stray dogs are prevalent and vaccination efforts are insufficient. It still causes around 59,000 deaths annually.

What preventive measures are taken in Brazil to control rabies?

Brazil has a national rabies control program that provides free vaccines for domestic animals and humans. The program aims to vaccinate at least 70% of the dog population, which is crucial for preventing the spread of the disease.