<< Back July 2005

Health & Nutrition
Beware of Strange and Wild Animals
By Connie Estrada

The Health Unit at the U.S. Embassy has dealt over the years with a series of strange animal bites. For me, the first one was a little boy who was visiting a friend, whose dog bit him in the face. He required plastic surgery. There have been several other similar cases.

Recently a man who is an expert in snakes picked up a coral snake, and despite his expertise, the wily snake bit him. Extreme measures were required to save his life.

Animals are a part of visits to the jungle, but don't encourage anyone to befriend any wild animals. Monkeys may carry rabies. So can bats.

What usually follows a bite is a feeling of absolute anxiety, coupled with the real need for medical treatment and observation of the animal. Definitely go for medical care, where you may be given a tetanus shot, antibiotics, and medical treatment for the bite. These bites usually cause bruises and are uncomfortable as well.

The animal will need to be observed for ten days for rabies, if possible. If not possible, the victim must get the series of rabies vaccines, which is available in Peru. It is up to the judgment of your doctor if you need to get started on the rabies series. Remember that not all animals carry rabies, and for that reason as well, it is a priority to seek medical advice.

Several years ago a puppy that had been given to an American resident in Cuzco's Urubamba Valley bit his new owner. After a time, the puppy died. No one thought anything would happen. Unfortunately the man developed rabies, and he died.

Remember your own animal's vaccines. Dogs and cats need to be vaccinated against rabies annually according to Peruvian law. There is no vaccine for monkeys.

So use your own good judgment, and protect yourself and your children against animal bites.