Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease; perhaps one of the most well-known zoonotic diseases due to its unique symptoms, extremely high fatality rate and ability to infect any warm-blooded animal. This disease can have an incubation period of up to three or four months, depending on the location of the entry point of the virus. Once it hits the central nervous system, presenting symptoms, it is usually untreatable. Death most often occurs a few days later.

Symptoms of rabies include:

• Headache
  

• Fever
  

• Anxiety
  

• Pain
  

• Seizures, with mania occurring shortly before death
  

Most instances of rabies are caused by a bite from an infected animal, with an extremely high percentage of these instances occurring in Africa and Asia. Rabies has been eradicated in dozens of countries, including the United Kingdom (with occasional exception; bats have very rarely been found with a similar virus), Ireland and Australia. In the United States of America, Raccoons (Southern states) and skunks (Midwestern states) are common reservoirs for rabies, although the main reservoirs for rabies are bats. Despite this, human rabies is quite rare in the USA. It is important to realise that even people living in areas where rabies has been eradicated should always be careful when travelling to and from an area with rabies.

The following map shows the countries announced to be free of rabies in 2010:


Rabies can be prevented by vaccinating people and pets who live in or travel to an area where rabies is common – it is especially important to vaccinate cats, dogs and ferrets. Even if places such as the UK, vaccines are recommended for people who handle bats regularly. The vaccine may present mild symptoms, such as temporary swelling of the injection site. In rare cases, flu-like symptoms may be present for one or two days afterwards. Severe reactions to the vaccine are extremely rare.

People are strongly advised to avoid contact with wild animals in areas where rabies is common (particularly bats), and to report aggressive animals to the authorities. If somebody is bitten by an animal, it is recommended that they thoroughly clean the wound and seek medical advice as soon as possible to assess the injury and determine whether or not treatment for rabies is necessary.

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