Rabies

RABIES VIRUS

History of Rabies Virus

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The disease was recognized in Egypt before 2300 B.C. and in ancient Greece, where it was described by Aristotle. The method of transmission of rabies was not recognized until 1804. Rabies is thought to be responsible for the origin of vampire legends (bats, biting, hypersexuality are associated with rabies). Infects all Mammals. In North America, rabies is most common in skunks, foxes, raccoons, bats, dogs, and catsCauses the most lethal of all infectious diseases. Even the most extreme modern medical interventions are usually not successful.

Racoons, Skunks, Foxes and Bats Are Major Rabies Reserviors

Racoon

Red Fox

Striped Skunk

Silvertailed Bat

www.lmb.uni-muenchen.de/groups/ Conzelmann/default.htm

Rabies is a virus that attacks the central nervous system of warmblooded animals. It can be transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal or via the introduction of the saliva of a rabid animal into a fresh (less than 24 hours old) wound. Transmission via other routes is rare.

Bat Bites Account for About Half of USA Rabies Cases

Rabies Control • Eliminate rabies from hosts/victims – Oral baits w/antivirus. • Has been effective (Europe, Canada). • Slowed potential outbreak in Ohio raccoons. • Used in Texas for coyotes & foxes.

– Trap/vaccinate/release (TVR)

World-Wide Control of Rabies • rabies include Urban - Canine rabies accounts for more than 99% of all worldwide human rabies. Control measures against canine; – stray dog control. – vaccination of dogs. – quarantine of imported animals. • Wildlife - Rabies in wild animals is much more difficult to control than canine rabies. However, ongoing trials in in the USA and Europe using bait containing rabies vaccine given to foxes and raccoons reduces rabies levels.

R.H Patel English Medium B.Ed College Gandhinagar

Sanjay prajapati E-mail: [email protected]