Rabies

Rabies: A neglected zoonotic disease

Rabies is a zoonotic disease (a disease that is transmitted from animals to humans) that is caused by a virus. It is known to be present on all continents except Antarctica and infects domestic and wild animals.

Rabies is spread to people through close contact with infected saliva via bites or scratches. The main route of rabies transmission to humans is the bite of rabid dogs. Most of the deaths occur in the absence of post-exposure prophylaxis. Rabies is nearly always fatal when left untreated.

WHO Expert Consultation on Rabies, 5-8 October 2004. WHO Technical Report Series 931, Geneva 2005.

Rabies guidelines, for diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control. This manual provides health professionals and programmes managers with the latest recommendations. Ref: ISBN 92 4 120931 3

Although it is a vaccine-preventable disease, rabies still poses a significant public health problem in many countries in Asia and Africa where 95% of human deaths occur even though safe, effective vaccines for both human and veterinary use exist.

Nearly half of those bitten by suspect rabid animals are children under 15 years of age. Although the efficacy and safety of modern cell culture vaccines have been recognized, some countries still produce and use nervous tissue vaccines, which are less effective.

• Symptoms
• Prevention
• Diagnosis
• Treatment