rabies

Disease Project

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Rabies

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History
 Almost all human cases of rabies were fatal until a vaccine was developed in 1885 by Louis Pasteur and Émile Roux.
 The original vaccine was harvested from infected rabbits with rabies virus
 The virus in the infected rabbit nerve tissue was weakened by allowing it to dry for five to 10 days.
 Less expensive purified chicken embryo cell vaccine are now available.  How it got its name: The term is derived from the Latin rabies, "madness"

Pathogen and Vectors
 Pathogens: Saliva
 Vectors: Cats Cows Dogs Ferrets Goat Horses Bats Beavers
Coyotes foxes monkeys raccoons skunks woodchucks

Incubation and Symptoms
 Incubation period can be as short as 4 days or less
 Symptoms: Fever Headache Nausea Vomiting Anxiety
Confusion Hyperactivity difficulty swallowing Excessive salivation Hydrophobia Hallucinations Insomnia paralysis

Treatment
 In those who have been exposed to rabies, rabies vaccine and sometimes rabies immunoglobulin are effective in preventing disease if given before the start of symptoms.
 Thoroughly washing the bites and scratches as soon as possible with soap and water for approximately 15 minutes is very effective in reducing the number of viral particles.

Complications: Only a few people have survived a rabies infection and this was with extensive treatment.

Prevention
 Animal control and vaccination programs have decreased the risk of rabies from dogs in many parts of the world.
 Immunizing people before they are exposed is recommended in those who are at high risk, like those who work with bats or spend a large amount of time in areas of the world where the disease is common.
 Vaccinating dogs, cats, rabbits, and ferrets against rabies
 Keeping pets under supervision
 Not handling wild animals or strays
 Cure: Series of injections: one dose of human rabies immunoglobulin and four doses of rabies vaccine over a 14-day

References:  www.cdc.gov.rabies  www.mayoclinic.org/rabies