In Ukraine, the spring period brings with it an increased risk of encounters with wild and stray animals, which often approach settlements in search of food. After the start of a full-scale war, the situation has become more complicated: animal vaccination has decreased, and the number of animals left unattended has increased.<\/p>\n
According to information from the Center for Public Health, the number of cases of appeals due to bites or contact with animals that may be carriers of rabies has been increasing in recent years. The figures by year are as follows:
\n– 1845 cases in 2023,
\n– 2507 cases in 2024,
\n– 2531 cases in 2025.<\/p>\n
Several cases of rabies among humans have also been recorded: one in 2023, two in 2024 and 2025, and one more in 2026 \u2014 all of which ended fatally.<\/p>\n
Rabies is a dangerous viral disease that affects the central nervous system. It is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal through bites, scratches, or contact with broken skin.<\/p>\n
To prevent the disease after contact with a suspicious animal, it is important to:
\n1. Thoroughly wash the wound with running water and soap for at least 15 minutes.
\n2. Treat the edges of the wound with an antiseptic (iodine or alcohol).
\n3. Immediately consult a doctor.
\n4. If prescribed by a doctor, undergo a course of vaccination against rabies (5 doses within 28 days).<\/p>\n
You can get vaccinated at regional medical facilities; detailed information about vaccination points can be found at the appropriate links. If these institutions cannot provide vaccination, you should contact the Ministry of Health hotline at 0 800 505 201.<\/p>\n
To reduce the risk of infection, the Public Health Center advises:
\n– avoid contact with wild and stray animals,
\n– do not feed them,
\n– monitor the interaction of domestic animals with wild animals,
\n– regularly vaccinate domestic animals against rabies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In Ukraine, the spring period brings with it an increased risk of encounters with wild and stray animals, which often approach settlements in search of food. After the start of a full-scale war, the situation has become more complicated: animal vaccination has decreased, and the number of animals left unattended has increased. According to information […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":34731,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34728","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n