Turkey health experts warn of rabies following recent outbreaks

Health experts and the Turkish Veterinary Medical Association (TVHB) are issuing urgent warnings regarding rabies following recent cases in Diyarbakır, Ardahan, and Iğdır. A three-year-old child in Diyarbakır is currently intubated and undergoing treatment after testing positive for rabies following a cat bite several months prior.

Ali Eroğlu, President of the TVHB, noted that recent outbreaks are largely linked to wildlife, including wolves, jackals, foxes, and weasels. He highlighted that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s oral vaccination programs for wildlife have successfully reduced the number of infection foci by approximately 84% nationwide.

Medical professionals emphasize that rabies is nearly 100% preventable through vaccination but becomes fatal once clinical symptoms appear. Experts warn that the virus can be transmitted through bites or scratches from infected mammals, including cats and dogs. They advise that any contact with an unknown animal should be followed by immediate wound cleaning with soapy water and a visit to a medical facility. The incubation period can vary significantly depending on the proximity of the wound to the brain, ranging from weeks to potentially years.