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Ü About Rabies
Ü Outreach Programs (under development Nov 07)
Ü Educating Children (under development Nov 07)
About Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease that occurs naturally in wild carnivores. The classic description of a mad dog foaming at the mouth describes one way how the virus can act on its host. Humans and other mammals can contract rabies following exposure to an animal with rabies.
Rabies is transmitted in the saliva of infected animals and typically enters the victim’s body through a bite wound. The severity of the bite, the infectiousness of the animal, and the site on the body where the bite occurred are all important factors for transmitting rabies.
Canine Rabies
Throughout Asia and Africa, most cases of human rabies are caused by dogs. In the USA and other countries where dog vaccination programs have been in place for many years, other ‘vectors’ or means of transmitting rabies are important.
Wild Animals
In the USA and South America, some animal exposures come in the form of bat bites. You should see your health care provider immediately if you think you may have been exposed. Rabies in humans is 100% fatal once disease is manifest. Rabies can, however, be prevented through appropriate medical treatment as soon as possible following an exposure.
Only mammals can get rabies and some are more resistant to rabies than others, e.g. opossums. Wild raccoons, coyotes, foxes, skunks, and bats are known to carry rabies in addition to unvaccinated domestic pets such as dogs and cats.
Most cases of rabies in Europe are found in foxes and strict laws exist over the movement of pets and animals between countries.
Symptoms of Rabies
Rabies may cause an animal to act abnormally. Increased aggression, including difficulty walking (ataxia), trouble eating or drinking, partial or full paralysis, foaming at the mouth (hypersalivation), making unusual sounds, and showing hypersexual or other bizarre behaviors may be due to rabies. A nocturnal animal active in the daytime may indicate rabies.
Call your local police or animal control office if you think there is a rabid animal in your neighborhood. Further information on issues related to your region (US) are available from the CDC. For global figures and maps, visit WHO.
Ü Outreach Programs (under development Nov 07)
Ü Educating Children (under development Nov 07)
About Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease that occurs naturally in wild carnivores. The classic description of a mad dog foaming at the mouth describes one way how the virus can act on its host. Humans and other mammals can contract rabies following exposure to an animal with rabies.
Rabies is transmitted in the saliva of infected animals and typically enters the victim’s body through a bite wound. The severity of the bite, the infectiousness of the animal, and the site on the body where the bite occurred are all important factors for transmitting rabies.
Canine Rabies
Throughout Asia and Africa, most cases of human rabies are caused by dogs. In the USA and other countries where dog vaccination programs have been in place for many years, other ‘vectors’ or means of transmitting rabies are important.
Wild Animals
In the USA and South America, some animal exposures come in the form of bat bites. You should see your health care provider immediately if you think you may have been exposed. Rabies in humans is 100% fatal once disease is manifest. Rabies can, however, be prevented through appropriate medical treatment as soon as possible following an exposure.
Only mammals can get rabies and some are more resistant to rabies than others, e.g. opossums. Wild raccoons, coyotes, foxes, skunks, and bats are known to carry rabies in addition to unvaccinated domestic pets such as dogs and cats.
Most cases of rabies in Europe are found in foxes and strict laws exist over the movement of pets and animals between countries.
Symptoms of Rabies
Rabies may cause an animal to act abnormally. Increased aggression, including difficulty walking (ataxia), trouble eating or drinking, partial or full paralysis, foaming at the mouth (hypersalivation), making unusual sounds, and showing hypersexual or other bizarre behaviors may be due to rabies. A nocturnal animal active in the daytime may indicate rabies.
Call your local police or animal control office if you think there is a rabid animal in your neighborhood. Further information on issues related to your region (US) are available from the CDC. For global figures and maps, visit WHO.