Classification: ICD-9 071; ICD-10 A82
Syndromes and synonyms: Hydrophobia, furious rabies, paralytic (dumb) rabies, classic rabies, non-classic rabies
Agent: Rabies virus, a rhabdovirus of the genus Lyssavirus, with a nonsegmented, negative-stranded RNA genome. At least 11 different genotypes exist, with genotype 1, rabies virus (RABV) causing classic rabies world wide. Genotypes 2–11 have a more limited host-range and geographic distribution: Lagos bat virus (LBV), Mokola virus (MOKV), Duvenhage virus (DUVV), European bat lyssa virus 1 and 2 (EBLV-1/2), Australian bat lyssa virus (ABLV), Aravan virus (ARAV), Irkut virus (IRKV), Khujand virus (KHUV), and West Caucasian bat virus (WCBV).
Reservoir: Wild and domestic canines, also skunks, raccoons, mongooses; vampire, frugivorous and insectivorous bats.
Vector: None.
Transmission: By animal bite through saliva commonly or scratch (rarely). Infected livestock do not bite typically, but may infect a person through their saliva. Very rare: licks upon mucosal surfaces; aerosols in bat-infested caves; person-to-person transmission via organ/tissue transplantation. Rabies can be transmitted via slaughtering of infected reservoir species, for instance dogs in countries where dogs are consumed.
Incubation period: Usually 1–3 months (rarely <1 week and >1 year) depending on virus variant, dose, wound severity and distance of wound from the brain.
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