Rabies is a viral disease that occurs naturally in wild carnivores. The classic description of a mad dog foaming at the mouth describes one way how the virus can act on its host. Humans and other mammals can contract rabies following exposure to an animal with rabies. Throughout the world, most cases of human rabies are caused by dogs. In countries such as the United States, however, where dog vaccination programs have been in place for many years, other ‘vectors’ or means of transmitting rabies are important.
Rabies is transmitted in the saliva of infected animals and typically enters the victim’s body through a bite wound. The severity of the bite, the infectiousness of the animal, and the site on the body where the bite occurred are all important factors for transmitting rabies. In the United States, some animal exposures come in the form of bat bites. You should see your health care provider immediately if you think you may have been exposed.
Rabies in humans is 100% fatal once disease is manifest. Rabies can, however, be prevented through education and appropriate medical treatments as soon as possible following an exposure.
Rabies can be suspected in an animal when the animal is acting abnormally. This may include increased aggression or any other abnormal behaviors including difficulty walking (ataxia), trouble eating or drinking, partial or full paralysis, foaming at the mouth (hypersalivation), making unusual sounds, and showing hypersexual or other bizarre behaviors. For example, seeing a nocturnal animal active in the daytime should be a warning sign. Only mammals can carry rabies, and some animals are more resistant to rabies than others, like opossums for example. In the United States, wild raccoons, coyotes, foxes, skunks, and bats are known to carry rabies in addition to unvaccinated domestic pets such as dogs and cats. Please check the CDC web site for the latest statistics by region at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/Epidemiology/Epidemiology.htm. Call your local police or animal control office if you think there is a rabid animal in your neighborhood.