From the Guidelines
Rabies is not caused by bacteria, but rather by a virus in the family Rhabdoviridae, genus Lyssavirus. The disease is a zoonotic infection that is transmitted through the saliva of rabid mammals, typically through bites, and it causes an acute, progressive encephalomyelitis after entering the central nervous system 1. Key characteristics of rabies include:
- A variable incubation period that can range from days to years
- Transmission primarily through the bites of infected animals
- The necessity for prompt medical intervention, including wound care and the administration of rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) and vaccine, to prevent the disease after exposure
- A high effectiveness of these preventive measures in avoiding human rabies, as evidenced by the rare occurrence of the disease in countries like the United States, with an average of only one or two cases annually since 1960 1. The viral nature of rabies is crucial for determining the appropriate treatment approach, as antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections, underscoring the importance of vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis as the primary strategies for combating the disease 1.
From the Research
Rabies Cause
- Rabies is not caused by bacteria, but rather by a virus of the genus Lyssavirus and family Rhabdoviridae 2, 3.
- The virus is transmitted via the saliva of an infected animal, with dogs being the most important reservoir for rabies viruses 2, 3.
- The disease affects all warm-blooded animals and is prevalent throughout the world, except in islands like Australia and Antarctica 2.
Disease Characteristics
- Rabies is a zoonotic, fatal, and progressive neurological infection 2, 3.
- The incubation period is highly variable, ranging from 2 weeks to 6 years, with an average of 2-3 months 2.
- Once clinical disease develops, it is almost certainly fatal 3.
Prevention and Treatment
- Primary prevention involves dog vaccination campaigns to reduce the virus reservoir 3.
- Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can prevent the progression to clinical disease and involves appropriate wound care, administration of rabies immunoglobulin, and vaccination 4, 3, 5.
- A multifaceted approach for human rabies eradication is necessary to achieve the WHO goal of reducing the number of cases of dog-mediated human rabies to zero by 2030 3.