RABIES

PATHOGEN:

Rabies is caused by a bullet shaped virus which contains a negative-sense, singlestranded RNA genome and belongs to the family Rhabdoviridae.

RESERVOIR(S):

In the US, extensive reservoirs of rabies virus exist in many diverse wild animal species.
The most common species that serve as reservoir hosts for the virus are bats, raccoons,
skunks, and coyotes. Most mammals are susceptible to rabies infections.

TRANSMISSION:

The most common route of transmission is through the bite or contact with viruscontaining saliva of an infected animal; however, other routes of transmission have been
documented contamination of mucous membranes (i.e. nose, mouth) and aerosol
transmission, such as inhalation of dried bat guano.

DISEASE:

The rabies virus is shed in the saliva of infected animals. The virus enters the wound and
replicates in the damaged tissue. From there, the virus can travel to adjacent nerve endings
and eventually into the central nervous system, causing encephalopathy and ultimately
death.

The early symptoms of rabies in humans are generally nonspecific, flu-like symptoms and
include fever, headache, and malaise. As the disease progresses, neurological symptoms
appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis,
hallucinations, and agitation.

It is extremely rare for people with symptoms to survive the disease. In most cases, those
who have survived clinical rabies had a history of either pre- or post-exposure vaccination.
For this reason, it is of vital importance to seek medical attention immediately after a possible
exposure.

TREATMENT:

Treatment includes thorough (at least 15 minutes) deep cleaning of the wounds with soap
and disinfectant (1% benzalkonium chloride or 1% povidone iodine)
Administration of the rabies vaccine
Administration of human rabies antiserum (immune globulin).

VACCINE:

The rabies vaccine is a dead, inactivated vaccine and is administered prophylactically only
to persons at high risk and post-exposure to individuals who may have been exposed to the
virus.

Vaccination of domestic pets helps reduce the reservoir population for the virus and
decreases the likelihood of human disease.