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Rabies is a viral disease that causes encephalitis in humans and other mammals. [1] It was historically referred to as hydrophobia ("fear of water") due to the symptom of panic when presented with liquids to drink. Early symptoms can include fever and abnormal sensations at the site of exposure. [1]
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Rabies is a serious public health problem in over 150 countries and territories, mainly in Asia and Africa. It is a viral, zoonotic, neglected tropical disease that causes tens of thousands of deat...Dog bites and scratches cause 99% of the human rabies cases, and can be prevented through dog vaccination and bite prevention.Once the virus infects the central nervous system and clinical symptoms appear, rabies is fatal in 100% of cases.However, rabies deaths are preventable with prompt post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) by stopping the virus from reaching the central nervous system. PEP consists of thorough wound washing, administra...Dog-mediated rabies
Rabies is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic, viral disease affecting the central nervous system. In up to 99% of the human rabies cases, dogs are responsible for virus transmission. Children between the age of 5 and 14 years are frequent victims. Rabies infects mammals, including dogs, cats, livestock and wildlife. Rabies spreads to people and animals via saliva, usually through bites, scratches, or direct contact with mucosa (e.g. eyes, mouth, or open wounds). Once clinical symptoms appear, ra...
Rabies from sources other than dogs
In the Americas, where dog-mediated rabies is mostly controlled, hematophagous (blood-feeding) bats are now the primary source of human rabies. Bat-mediated rabies is also an emerging public health threat in Australia and parts of western Europe. Human deaths following exposure to foxes, raccoons, skunks, and other wild mammals are very rare, and bites from rodents are not known to transmit rabies. Contraction of rabies through inhalation of virus-containing aerosols, consumption of raw meat...
The incubation period for rabies is typically 2–3 months but may vary from one week to one year, depending on factors such as the location of virus entry and the viral load. Initial symptoms of rabies include generic signs like fever, pain and unusual or unexplained tingling, pricking, or burning sensations at the wound site. As the virus moves to ...
Currently there are no WHO-approved diagnostic tools for detecting rabies infection before the onset of clinical disease. Clinical diagnosis of rabies is difficult without a reliable history of contact with a rabid animal or specific symptoms of hydrophobia or aerophobia. Accurate risk assessment is crucial for deciding on PEP administration. Once ...
Vaccinating dogs
Vaccinating dogs, including puppies, through mass dog vaccination programs is the most cost-effective strategy for preventing rabies in people because it stops the transmission at its source. Culling free roaming dogs is not effective in controlling rabies.
Awareness
Public education for both children and adults on dog behaviour and bite prevention, what to do if bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal, and responsible pet ownership are essential extensions of rabies vaccination programmes.
Vaccinating people
Effective vaccines are available to immunize people both before and after potential exposures. As listed under the WHO - Prequalification of Medical Products, as of 2024, there are only 3 WHO pre-qualified human rabies vaccines available globally: RABIVAX-S by Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., VaxiRab N by Zydus Lifesciences Limited, and VERORABby Sanofi Pasteur. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)is recommended for people in high-risk occupations (laboratory workers handling live rabies and re...
WHO recommends that all human rabies vaccines comply with WHO standards. Deployment of poor-quality rabies vaccines has led to public health failures in several countries.
As detailed in the guidance on PEP administration, WHO recommends moving from intramuscular (IM) to intradermal (ID) administration of human rabies vaccines. Intradermal administration reduces the amount of necessary vaccine and number of doses, therefore reducing costs by 60–80%, without compromising safety or efficacy. Fewer doses also promote pa...
Rabies is included in WHO’s 2021–2030 Roadmap for the global control of NTDs, which sets regional, progressive targets for the global strategic plan to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030 (see also: Zero by 30). This entails: 1. improving access to human rabies vaccines through the efforts of the WHO and its partners, Gavi, the Vaccin...
Rabies is a fatal viral disease transmitted by animal bites or scratches. Learn about the symptoms, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of rabies, and how WHO and its partners aim to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies.
Nov 2, 2021 · The rabies virus causes a rabies infection. The virus spreads through the saliva of infected animals. Infected animals can spread the virus by biting another animal or a person. In rare cases, rabies can be spread when infected saliva gets into an open wound or the mucous membranes, such as the mouth or eyes.
Aug 27, 2022 · Learn about rabies, a fatal illness caused by a virus that infects the nervous system. Find out how to prevent rabies with vaccination and what to do if you’re bitten by a potentially infected animal.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can be spread to humans and pets by infected animals. Learn how to prevent and treat rabies, what animals are most likely to carry it, and who is at risk of exposure.
Jan 15, 2024 · Learn about rabies, a deadly virus that affects the nervous system and can spread through animal bites. Find out how to recognize the signs, get treatment, and prevent infection.
Rabies is a fatal disease caused by the rabies virus that affects mammals, including humans. The virus can be transmitted when the saliva of an infected animal comes into contact with an open wound or mucous membranes (e.g. eyes, nose, and mouth) of another mammal.
