RABIES

Disease of mammals, most often transmitted through the bite of

a rabid animal.A majority of rabies cases occur

in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes.

Domestic animals are vaccinated for rabies.

Less than 10% of rabies cases are in cats, cattle, and dogs

Geographic areas of wild animals commonly infected with rabies.

In the US, people most often get rabies

from bats.

In other countries, people most often get

rabies from dogs.• In.

It is very rare that anyone ever survives rabies infection.

• Recovery of a Patient from Clinical Rabies --- Wisconsin, 2004

• http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5350a1.htm

Worldwide, 55,000 people die of rabies every

year.

There are only about 0-2 deaths ayear in the US

each year.

Animals with rabies my be aggressive and foaming at the

mouth

More often, animals will act timid and shy, and appear to be tame

Know the signs!never feed or approach a wild animal

be careful of pets that you do not know

don´t pet stray dogs or cats

if any animal acts strangely, call your local animal control officer for help.

Diagnosis• In animals, the brain is examined

after death to determine if rabies is present.

• In humans, many tests must be run; samples of saliva, blood, spinal fluid, and skin biopsies of hair follicles at the nape of the neck.

Symptoms

first symptoms – flu-like signs — malaise, fever, or headache, which

may last for days– discomfort at the site of bite

within days - brain dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, agitation,

delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, and insomnia, death