Rabies

Rabies
is a fatal zoonotic viral

disease, transmitted to
humans through bites and
scratches (usually via saliva)
with infected animals, both
domestic and wild.
Rabies
 The rabies virus infects
the central nervous
system, ultimately
causing disease in the
brain or death.
Symptoms and Complications
When the rabies virus entered the body, the virus moves towards the
brain along the nerves. A person may show the first signs of rabies
an average of 1 to 3 months after the virus enters the body. In
humans, the first symptoms of the disease are non-specific and
resemble other viral infections. They include:
 pain or tingling at the bite site

 a general feeling of illness
 fever
 headache
 nausea and vomiting
 depression
 As the virus begins to multiply in the spinal
cord or brain, neurological symptoms that
appear include:
 anxiety
 confusion
 excessive saliva production
 hallucinations
 high level of excitement
 insomnia
 paralysis of lower legs
 hydrophobia (fear at the sight of water
despite an intense thirst)
 restlessness
EPIDEMIOLOGY
 All lyssaviruses have evolved closely with distinct natural
reservoir hosts. The latter are animals species in which a
pathogen of an infectious disease are maintained
independently. For lyssaviruses, these are a wide range of
mammalian species within the Carnivora and Chiroptera
(bats) orders with a global distribution.
 It is generally accepted that bats are the true primary

reservoir hosts of almost all lyssaviruses. However, unlike all
other lyssaviruses, rabies viruses (RABVs) as the type
species for lyssaviruses have established multiple
independent transmission cycles in a broad range of
carnivore host reservoirs, where particular RABV lineages
circulate within host conspecifics. From the primary reservoir
hosts the virus is sporadically transmitted to domestic
animals and to humans.
CAUSATIVE AGENT
 Rabies virus – from the
family Rhabdoviridae of
the genus Lyssavirus
 Bullet shaped, RNA
 Street and fixed virus

INCUBATION PERIOD
 Usually 3-12 weeks, with a range of 4 days to 19

years.
In 93-99% of patients, the onset is within one year
of exposure.
PERIOD OF COMMUNICABILITY
 Dogs and cats - from 3-7 days before the onset of
clinical symptoms, and throughout the course of
disease. Viral excretion up to 14 days before the
appearance of clinical signs has been observed in
some animal species. Similar communicability can
be assumed for human cases.
PATHOGENESIS
 Rabies is a central nervous system (CNS) disease that is almost invariably
fatal. The causative agent is rabies virus (RV), a negative-stranded RNA virus
of the rhabdovirus family. RV pathogenesis, like that of other viruses, is a
multigenic trait. Recent findings indicate that in addition to the RV Glycoprotein
viral elements that regulate gene expression, especially expression of the L
gene, are also likely to play a role in RV pathogenesis. In vivo, RV infects
almost exclusively neurons, and neuroinvasiveness is the major defining
characteristic of a classical RV infection. A key factor in the neuroinvasion of
RV is transsynaptic neuronal spread.
 While the ability of RV to spread from the post-synaptic site to the pre-synaptic
site is mediated by the RV G protein, the RV P protein might be an important
determinant of retrograde transport of the virus within axons. Although the
mechanism(s) by which an RV infection cause(s) a lethal neurological disease
are still not well understood, the most significant factor underlying the lethal
outcome of an RV infection appears to be the neuronal dysfunction due to
drastically inhibited synthesis of proteins required in maintaining neuronal
functions.
TREATMENT MODALITIES
 Rabies vaccine to immunize
and to prevent rabies in people
who have been bitten by an
animal or otherwise exposed to
the rabies virus.
 Rabies vaccine is available

under the following: Imovax,
and human diploid cell vaccine.
(HDCV)
PREVENTIONS
 Vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies.
 Keep dogs and cats under control.
 Leave stray or unknown dogs and cats alone.
 Leave wild animals alone.
 Do not keep wild animals as pets.
 Make your property unattractive to wild animals.
If you’ve been Bitten or Scratched:
 Obtain the owner’s address and telephone number if possible.

 Immediately wash the wound thoroughly, cleaning and flushing with plenty of soap and water
for several minutes.
 Immediately report all animal bites to your animal control agency, police department of
health department for follow-up.
 Identify and continue to observe the animal (if wild or stray) to aid its eventual capture, but
do not risk exposure again.
 Get prompt medical attention. Call your family doctor or go to the nearest emergency room.

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Rabies

is a fatal zoonotic viral

 pain or tingling at the bite site

 It is generally accepted that bats are the true primary

 Bullet shaped, RNA

 Street and fixed virus

 Usually 3-12 weeks, with a range of 4 days to 19

 Rabies vaccine is available

If you’ve been Bitten or Scratched:

 Obtain the owner’s address and telephone number if possible.

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