Rethinking Rabies Diagnosis: Is It Time to Upgrade Our Tools?

Rabies is a deadly disease that kills around 60, 000 people worldwide each year. One big problem in fighting rabies is that we don't have enough good data or reports about it, especially in poorer countries. This is because they don't have the right tools to diagnose the disease. The World Health Organization currently uses the fluorescent antibody test (FAT) on brain tissue from dead animals and humans as the best way to confirm rabies. But there are some issues with FAT. We think it's time to find better ways to diagnose rabies. Scientists have been using FAT for a long time, but it has some drawbacks. For one, it requires special equipment and skilled people to do the test. This can be hard to find in places where rabies is common. Also, the test can only be done after the animal or person has died, which means it's too late to treat the disease.

One promising alternative is using a method called PCR (polymerase chain reaction). PCR can quickly and accurately detect rabies in samples. It can also be done while the animal or person is still alive, giving doctors a chance to treat the disease. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many places have improved their lab equipment and skills, making it easier to use PCR for diagnosing rabies. It's important to remember that changing the way we diagnose rabies will take time and money. But with better tools, we can save more lives and control the spread of this terrible disease.

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