Rabies is a deadly viral infection that spreads through the saliva of animals that are infected. When the infected animal bites a person the virus gets directly into the bloodstream of him/her. There is every chance of receiving the infection if the saliva of the animal gets in contact with any open wound of humans. In the Asian countries, rabies is spread through stray dogs and in the USA it gets transmitted to humans via animals like bats, raccoons and foxes.
Facts on Rabies :
- It is unfortunately true that around 60,000 people are facing death each year due to rabies and this occurs often in Asian and African countries
- One out of three people die due to rabies in American states each year
- Due to vaccination and continued awareness the rate of rabies death is decreasing in the USA
- Every year about 15 million people around the globe are receiving vaccination post-exposure to rabies
- Rabies virus is contagious and easily gets transmitted to humans through the saliva of infected animal
- Often it ends up on death after the clinical signs of rabies become evident
Causes Of Rabies :
Rabies virus is the main cause of rabies infection. The virus would easily enter into the animal’s body to cause infection. Once the infected animal bites any person the virus gains entry into his body. The virus can also enter through human skin when the saliva of infected animal touches any open wound, skin burns, mouth or even through eyes. This can easily happen if the infected animal licks the man on the spot like cuts or injury on the skin. Rabies can spread to humans through mammals like dogs, cats, cows, goats and horses and the list also includes bats, monkeys, foxes, raccoons and skunks.
How The Virus Causes Death ?
Virus would remain in the site of exposure (skin cut or injury) till the incubation period. After this, the virus would enter the brain through the peripheral nervous system. From the brain it gets deposited to almost all parts of the body.
Risk Factors :