BWI: Awareness Key to Bringing the Death Rate due to Rabies down; 20,000 People Die of Rabies in India Every Year

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Novartis India Limited
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 10:00 AM IST (04:30 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, People, Social issues; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Education & training, Healthcare, biotechnology & pharmaceutical, Media & entertainment; Healthcare
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Awareness Key to Bringing the Death Rate due to Rabies down; 20,000 People Die of Rabies in India Every Year
95% of human deaths take place in developing countries in Asia and Africa, Lack of awareness high among urban educated and medical fraternity

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Wednesday, September 28, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- Lack of awareness is a key factor for the large number of deaths that take place in India due to rabies each year. Of the 55,000 people who die of the disease worldwide, 20,000 deaths take place in India. Rabies, commonly known as hydrophobia, is a deadly viral disease caused by animal bites or scratches and in rare cases even through being licked on an open wound or broken skin.

While dogs are primarily responsible for causing rabies in India, other animals such as cats, monkeys, pigs, horses, camels, foxes, mongoose, sheep and donkeys could also spread the virus. While 100% fatal, rabies is 100% preventable with prompt and appropriate care.

Speaking on the occasion of World Rabies Day, Ranjit Shahani, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Novartis India Limited said, "Education and spreading awareness of rabies is important as lack of awareness in the case of rabies causes unnecessary deaths. We need to recognize that in case of possible exposure the risk is very high and timely post-exposure vaccination is important to save lives."

In case of being bitten, scratched or licked by an animal, a person should immediately wash the wound with soap and running water for 15 minutes and apply an antiseptic such as povidone-iodine, dettol or savlon. Once that is done one should consult the family physician and take a full course of the anti-rabies vaccine as advised by the doctor. In case of a bleeding wound, rabies immunoglobulins or anti-serum should be given into the wound in addition to the anti-rabies vaccine.

About World Rabies Day

World Rabies Day is commemorated on September 28 each year, the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur who produced the first vaccine for rabies. The mission of World Rabies Day is to raise awareness about the impact of human and animal rabies, how easy it is to prevent it, and how to eliminate the main global sources. Even though the major impact of rabies occurs in regions of the world where many needs are present, rabies should no longer be neglected.

About Novartis

Novartis provides healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Focused solely on healthcare, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, consumer health products, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools. Novartis is the only company with leading positions in these areas. In 2010, the Group's continuing operations achieved net sales of USD 50.6 billion, while approximately USD 9.1 billion (USD 8.1 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges) was invested in R&D throughout the Group. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 119,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world.

For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com

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CONTACT DETAILS
Svetlana Pinto, Novartis India Limited, +91 (22) 24951074/98210 54884, svetlana.pinto@novartis.com
Liana Albuquerque, Novartis India Limited, +91 (22) 2493 9403/98214 36458, liana.albuquerque@novartis.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, PEOPLE, SOCIAL, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, MEDIA, HEALTHCARE

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