Rabies: An Overview
Rabies is an infectious and potentially fatal disease caused by the rabies virus (RABV). The virus is most commonly transmitted to humans and other mammals through the bite of a rabid animal, often a dog. Once the virus is present in the body, it travels to the brain, causing severe inflammation and eventually death. In most cases, prompt treatment with a rabies vaccine can prevent the infection from progressing to the fatal stage.
The rabies virus belongs to the family Rhabdoviridae and is an RNA virus. It has a bullet-shaped structure, which is composed of a core of RNA surrounded by a helical nucleocapsid and an envelope. The envelope contains glycoproteins that are important for viral attachment and entry into host cells. The virus is stable in the environment and can remain infectious for several months in soil and water.
Rabies is a global problem, affecting both humans and animals. In humans, the disease is most commonly found in regions where dog rabies is endemic. In the United States, most human cases are due to contact with wild animals, particularly bats. Worldwide, more than 59,000 human deaths due to rabies are reported each year.
In animals, canine rabies is the most common form of the disease. Dogs can transmit the virus to humans through a bite. Vaccination of dogs is the most effective way to prevent rabies in the animal population, and is also important for preventing human cases. Vaccination of wildlife, such as foxes and raccoons, is also important for controlling the disease in the environment.
Treatment of rabies is possible in humans if the infection is diagnosed early. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is the most effective way to prevent the development of rabies in people who may have been exposed to the virus. This includes a series of vaccinations and, in some cases, the administration of rabies immunoglobulin.
In conclusion, rabies is a serious infectious disease that can be fatal if not treated promptly. Vaccination of animals is the most effective method for preventing rabies in the environment, and post-exposure prophylaxis is the best way to prevent the infection in humans who may have been exposed to the virus.
References
World Health Organization. (2018). Rabies. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/rabies/en/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Rabies. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/
Hoffman, R.E., Hopfenspirger, M.T., & Steele, J.H. (2017). Rabies. In S.E. Wong (Ed.), Netter’s Infectious Diseases (2nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
Kumar, A., & Singh, A. (2018). Rabies: An overview. Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology, 36(2), 173-181. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmm.IJMM_17_444