RABIES CaDDiS Home Page



Rabies, also called hydrophobia, is an acute encephalomyelitis caused by a virus. All warm- blooded animals are susceptible. The disease is world-wide apart from Australia, and a few  island and peninsular countries. The virus can be found in the saliva glands, as well as most  tissues of infected animals. In nature, it is transmitted from animal to animal by means of a  bite introducing the virus-bearing saliva. In rare cases, the virus can be transmitted by viral  contaminated fresh, already existing wound. The virus may be transmitted several days before  the appearance of clinical signs.  Rabies control program works best on a country-wide basis. Mass vaccination of dogs and cats  is the most effective control measure. Suspected cases should be reported to the veterinary  authorities immediately. Untrained people should not attempt to remove brain because of the  risk of cutting a finger in the process and catching the virus. If there is no veterinary help  available, suspected cases should be shot and, wearing gloves, the head cut off, tied in a  plastic bag and sent on ice to the veterinary laboratory.
 

Clinical signs:

The course of the disease lasts from two days to a week. The first clinical sign is a change of  behaviour which may not be noticeable. This stage only lasts a few hours for cattle. The  second stage, often called 'furious rabies', is when animals reach a phase of excitement and  they become restless, aggressive and the voice changes. Cattle continually roar. After this  stage, animals become progressively paralysed, and are unable to eat or drink and salivate  profusely. Death quickly follows.
 

Treatment:

There is no treatment for rabies. Suspected cases should be promptly caught and isolated in  secure 'rabies' kennels until they die.
 

Control measures:

Rabies control program works best on a country-wide basis. Mass vaccination of dogs and cats  is the most effective control measure. Suspected cases should be reported to the veterinary  authorities immediately. Untrained people should not attempt to remove brain because of the  risk of cutting a finger in the process and catching the virus. If there is no veterinary help  available, suspected cases should be shot and, wearing gloves, the head cut off, tied in a  plastic bag and sent on ice to the veterinary laboratory.
 

WWW Sites of Relevance

World Organisation for Animal Health

American Veterinary Medical Association

World Organisation for Animal Health

World Organisation for Animal Health