Rabies is a severe viral infection of the central nervous system that results in death.

All warm-blooded animals and humans are at risk for contracting rabies if exposed by an animal with rabies.

Rabies is spread to humans in the saliva of an infected animal. The virus is transmitted by bite or contact with the saliva through mucous membranes, open wounds, scratches or abrasions.

Rabies is a fatal disease. Early symptoms include headache, nausea, fever, malaise, loss of appetite, apprehension and indefinite sensory changes at the site of the bite. Late symptoms include paralysis and death.

The time from entrance of the virus into the body until symptoms appear may be 5 days to 1 year (average 2-8 weeks).

Dogs and cats: 10 days before onset of clinical symptoms.
Bats and wild animals: unknown.

In humans, rabies is diagnosed by history of exposure, development of the characteristic symptoms and by detection of rabies virus in brain tissue. In dogs and cats, rabies is diagnosed by quarantine of the animal for at least 10 days. If the animal develops symptoms or dies in the 10 days, or if it is a wild animal, the brain is sent for testing.

Treat the wound immediately by washing with soap and water. Go to the emergency room for further treatment and tetanus booster, if necessary. Preventive treatment should begin as soon as possible after the exposure. Rabies immune globulin to provide rapid protection is given on day 0. Rabies vaccine to induce immunity is given on days 0, 3, 7,14 and 28.

There is no specific treatment once symptoms occur.

Yes, in pet cats and dogs. There is a vaccine given by veterinarians that can protect these animals. There is also a vaccine for humans, but it is only recommended for persons at high risk of contacting wild animals, e.g. animal control officers, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, trappers, spelunkers and some international travelers.

October, 1997