Rabies
• Rabies is an infectious viral disease caused by
rhabdo vurus.
• Commonly seen in carnivorous species,both
domestic and wild animals.
• Different strains of viruses are present in
bats,dogs,foxes,skunks and racoons.
• Insectivorous bats are the only wild life
reservoir of rabies.
• Rabies causes about 59,000 deaths worldwide
per year, about 40% of which are in children
under the age of 15.
• The name rabies is derived from
the Latin rabies, "madness“.
Images of Rabies virus
Genome
• The rabies virus is the type species of the Lyssavirus genus, in the family
Rhabdoviridae, order Mononegavirales.
• Lyssavirions have helical symmetry, with a length of about 180 nm and a cross-
section of about 75 nm.
• These virions are enveloped and have a single-stranded RNA genome with
negative sense. The genetic information is packed as a ribonucleoprotein
complex in which RNA is tightly bound by the viral nucleoprotein.
• The RNA genome of the virus encodes five genes whose order is highly
conserved:
nucleoprotein (N),
phosphoprotein (P),
matrix protein (M),
glycoprotein (G), and
the viral RNA polymerase (L).
Incubation period
• The period between infection and the first symptoms (incubation period) is
typically one to three months in humans.
• This period may be as short as four days or longer than six years,
• depending on the location and severity of the wound and the amount of virus
introduced .
• Infection
an infection of local tissues
and then spreads along nervous tissue
to the brain and salivery glands.
Finally affecting the nervous system of humans and other mammals.
At the beginning
stops eating
becomes quiet
retreats from contact
Next phase
Aggressive or excited complete paralysis (Furous stage)
Animal behaviour
irrational and vicious manner
and may attack inanimmate objects.
dangerous for other animals and humans also.
Paralysis
initially begins in the throat and jaw muscles
resulting in drooling of the animal with inability to swallow .
Progresses quickly to other parts of the body.
Leads to delirium and convolutions
and eventual death due to respiratory and muscle paralysis.
Symptoms
hydrophobia ("fear of water") due to the symptom of panic when presented with liquids to drink
• Early symptoms
fever and abnormal sensations at the site of exposure.
nausea, vomiting, violent movements, uncontrolled excitement, fear of water, an inability to move
parts of the body, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
Once symptoms appear, the result is virtually always death, regardless of treatment.
The time period between contacting the disease and the start of symptoms is usually one to three
months but can vary from less than one week to more than one year.
The time depends on the distance the virus must travel along peripheral nerves to reach the
central nervous system
Transmission
• the virus has a much higher chance of being transmitted, because it multiplies and
accumulates in the salivary glands and is transmitted through biting
Diagnosis
• Diagnosing rabies is the fluorescent antibody test (FAT),
an immunohistochemistry procedure, which is recommended by the World Health
Organization (WHO)
• The RT PCR assays proved to be a sensitive and specific tool for routine diagnostic
purposes,
• The diagnosis can also be made from saliva, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid samples,
but this is not as sensitive or reliable as brain samples
• Cerebral inclusion bodies called Negri bodies are 100% diagnostic for rabies
infection but are found in only about 80% of cases.
Treatments
• Animal control and vaccination programs have decreased the risk of rabies from
dogs in a number of regions of the world.
• Immunizing people before they are exposed is recommended for those at high risk,
including those who work with bats or who spend prolonged periods in areas of
the world where rabies is common
• Washing bites and scratches for 15 minutes with soap and water, povidone-iodine,
or detergent may reduce the number of viral particles and may be somewhat
effective at preventing transmission
Prevention
• Vaccinating dogs, cats, and ferrets against rabies
• Keeping pets under supervision
• Not handling wild animals or strays
• Contacting an animal control officer upon observing a wild animal or a stray,
especially if the animal is acting strangely
• If bitten by an animal, washing the wound with soap and water for 10 to 15
minutes and contacting a healthcare provider to determine if post-exposure
prophylaxis is required
• 28 September is World Rabies Day, which promotes the information,
prevention, and elimination of the disease.
Rabies vaccination schedule
• 5 doses for Humans.
• 0,3,7,14 and 28 days
• Intra muscular and intra dermal
Thank You
