In rabies (synonyms: Pet Rabies; Pet Rabies; Hydrophobia – see also Rabies; Lyssa; Wildlife Rabies; Wildlife Rabies; Rage Disease; ICD-10 A82.-) is an infectious disease transmitted by the genus Lyssaviruses of the rhabdovirus family.
The disease belongs to the viral zoonoses (animal diseases).
Pathogen reservoir: Carriers of these rabies viruses are mainly terrestrial wild animals such as foxes, badgers, deer, sheep, goats or horses, but also domestic animals such as dogs and cats. Bats can also transmit rabies.
Occurrence: The infection occurs almost worldwide (exceptions are Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Scandinavia), but predominantly in the developing countries of Asia (especially India and China; Indonesia, esp. Bali), Latin America and Africa. Germany is considered free of terrestrial rabies. However, bats with rabies have been found (Lower Saxony/Lüneburg County).
Transmission of the pathogen (route of infection) occurs through a bite or through contamination of wounds or skin abrasions with the infectious saliva of the animal. In addition to infected dogs or cats, bats in particular play a central role in the transmission of the virus as vectors.
The incubation period (time from infection to outbreak of the disease) is usually between 3 and 8 weeks, but in individual cases can be several years.
One can distinguish the encephalitic (caused by an inflammation of the brain) from the paralytic (caused by paralysis) form of rabies.
Course and prognosis: Without vaccination or appropriate measures after infection by a rabid animal, the disease is always lethal within 15-90 days. Once typical symptoms such as paresis (paralysis), convulsions or photophobia appear, it is no longer curable.
Rabies has the highest lethality rate (mortality in relation to the total number of people infected with the disease) of all infectious diseases. Worldwide, approximately 55,000 people die from rabies each year.
Vaccination: A vaccination against rabies is available. Even after transmission, the outbreak of the disease can be prevented by vaccination as long as no typical symptoms have appeared.
In Germany, the disease is notifiable according to the Infection Protection Act (IfSG). Notification must be made by name in the event of suspected illness, illness as well as death.
