What can be done about rabies when there is no medicine?

[redundantsi]

Inactivation of Viruses by Benzalkonium Chloride

J. A. Armstrong1 and
E. J. Froelich

http://aem.asm.org/content/12/2/132
+ Author Affiliations

Sterling-Winthrop Research Institute, Rensselaer, New York

ABSTRACT

Benzalkonium chloride (as Roccal or Zephiran) was found to inactivate influenza, measles, canine distemper, rabies, fowl laryngotracheitis, vaccinia, Semliki Forest, feline pneumonitis, meningopneumonitis, and herpes simplex viruses after 10 min of exposure at 30 C or at room temperature. Poliovirus and encephalomyocarditis virus were not inactivated under the same conditions. It was concluded that all viruses tested were sensitive except members of the picorna group. The literature was reviewed.

AND THIS JUST IN!

from http://books.google.com/books?id=CF2INI ... es&f=false

Manson's Tropical Diseases: Expert Consult
By Gordon C. Cook, Alimuddin I. Zumla

"Rabies virus is rapidly inactivated by heat."

Pages displayed by permission of Elsevier Health Sciences. Copyright.

half-life, 56deg C, 1min.; 37deg C, several hours in moist conditions; 4deg C, little loss after 2 weeks.[summarized from the text image.]

Doesn't this contradict the old claims that cold water would be best? And is the 'moist condition' a factor which would reinforce the claim that drying the saliva was important?

[DrBones]

Hi reduntantsi,

You are right about BZK, it is a useful item for your medical supplies. Thanks for your link, it will help others identify rabies. I would especially recommend rabies vaccine for those who will be working with at-risk animals.

Dr. Bones