Tengrinews.kz - Several Kazakh tourists are receiving rabies vaccinations after being attacked by monkeys in Southeast Asia.
Three residents of Rudny were attacked by monkeys while vacationing in Thailand and Vietnam. As the animals could potentially carry rabies, the travelers began a full course of post-exposure prophylaxis upon returning home. The course consists of five vaccinations administered over 28 days.
"Rabies is a particularly dangerous infection with a long incubation period. Key symptoms include pain at the bite site, fever, aggression, depression, hydrophobia, and photophobia. Infection can occur through bites, scratches, or saliva contacting broken skin or mucous membranes. The rabies vaccine course is free of charge, and assistance can be obtained at any time from a trauma center," said Asel Baymukhametova, head of the epidemiological control department for dangerous infections and tuberculosis in the Kostanay region.
Monkey attacks often happen when tourists attempt to take photos with them. Travelers visiting Southeast Asian countries are advised to remove shiny objects and keep phones and cameras out of sight to avoid attracting the primates’ attention.
Experts recommend immediately washing the wound thoroughly with soap and water to remove dirt and saliva. Dissolving soap in water and pouring it generously over the wound can help. If bleeding needs to be stopped, hydrogen peroxide can be used by soaking a cloth and applying it to the wound for 2-3 minutes. However, if the bleeding is minor, it’s better to let it continue, as it can help flush out contaminated saliva. After cleaning, apply an antiseptic to the wound and seek medical attention promptly.
Earlier, a tiger attacked and killed an elderly farmer in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
