RABIES virus: The family of Rhabdoviridae, which can be transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal.

1. It enters the peripheral nervous system (PNS) directly and migrates to the brain.

2. It replicates within muscle tissue, where it is safe from the host’s immune system. From here, it enters the nervous system through the neuromuscular junctions.

There are two types of rabies.

Furious, or encephalitic rabies

Paralytic or “dumb” rabies

Incubator period

Normally 3-8 weeks May be short that is 4 days or maybe prolonged for years. Depends on site of bite: Severity of bite, Number of the wound, Amount of virus injected, Species of biting animal, Protection provided by clothing, Treatment taken or not.

Bites from infected animals. Exposure to urine or other secretions of infected animals organ transplant from infected donors. The following individuals may have a higher risk of contracting rabies than the general population: International travellers, Animal control officers, Spelunkers, Lab workers.

Injuries to the head and the neck region with open wounds may facilitate the quicker transmission of the virus to the brain.

Symptoms and sign

Rabies progresses in five distinct stages:Incubation,Prodromal,Acute neurology period,Coma,death

Diagnosis

At the time of a bite, there is usually no way to tell for sure whether an animal is rabid, or whether it has passed on an infection. The virus may be isolated from saliva or through a skin biopsy. However, by the time a diagnosis is confirmed, it may be too late to take action. 

After exposure and before symptoms begin, a series of shots can prevent the virus from thriving. This is usually effective. Strategies include:

A series of rabies vaccines: These will be injected into the arm over the next 2 to 4 weeks.

It is not usually possible to find out whether the animal has rabies or not. A person with symptoms should be made as comfortable as possible. They may need breathing assistance

Prevention

Rabies is a serious disease, but individuals and governments can and do take action to control and prevent, and, in some cases, wipe it out completely. Individuals should follow some safety rules to reduce the chance of contracting rabies. 

Vaccinate pets: Find out how often you need to vaccinate your cat, dog, ferret, and other domestic or farm animals, and keep up the vaccinations. Protect small pets: Some pets cannot be vaccinated, so they should be kept in a cage or inside the house to prevent contact with wild predators. The World Health Organization (WHO) call rabies a “100-per cent vaccine-preventable disease.” They note that at least 70 per cent of dogs in an area must be vaccinated to break the cycle of transmission.