LIFESTYLE NEWS - Rabies is an infectious viral disease that is almost always fatal following the onset of clinical signs.  

In up to 99% of human cases, the rabies virus is transmitted by domestic dogs. Rabies affects domestic and wild animals, and is spread to people through bites or scratches, usually via saliva. 

Rabies is present on all continents with the exception of Antarctica and it occurs mainly in remote rural communities where children are frequent victims. 

The incubation period for rabies is typically one to three months. The initial symptoms of rabies are fever and often pain or an unusual or unexplained tingling, pricking or burning sensation at the wound site. As the virus spreads through the central nervous system, progressive, fatal inflammation of the brain and spinal cord develops. 

Two forms of the disease can follow. People with furious rabies exhibit signs of excited behaviour, hydrophobia (fear of water) and sometimes aerophobia (fear of flying). After a few days, death occurs by cardio-respiratory arrest. 

Paralytic rabies accounts for about 30% of the total number of human cases. This form of rabies runs a less dramatic and usually longer course. The muscles gradually become paralyzed, starting at the site of the bite or scratch.  

A coma slowly develops, and eventually death occurs. The paralytic form of rabies is often misdiagnosed, contributing to the under-reporting of the disease. 

Rabies is a vaccine-preventable disease. Vaccinating dogs is the most cost-effective strategy for preventing rabies in people. The same safe and effective vaccines can be used for pre-exposure immunization. This is recommended for travellers spending a lot of time outdoors, especially in rural areas, involved in activities such as bicycling, camping, or hiking as well as for long-term travellers and expatriates living in areas with a significant risk of exposure to dog bites. 

Source: CDC  

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