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Why Are Mammals the Only Organisms That Get Rabies?

Rabies is a virus transmitted by a bite or other contact with the saliva of an infected mammal such as a raccoon or skunk. The virus then multiplies in the mammalian host and infects the nervous system. If left untreated, rabies is nearly always fatal.

  1. The rabies virus

    • The rabies virus is a genotype 1, which means its genetic makeup allows it to survive in any warm blooded mammal, but it cannot survive and replicate in cold blooded animals. Therefore, it can only be transmitted from mammal to mammal as well. Other genotype viruses are restricted to certain carriers. The virus binds to the host's cellular membranes, which creates an infection. Once inside the cell, the virus penetrates the cytoplasm where it begins to replicate using RNA.

    Symptoms

    • Mammals infected with the rabies virus will generally begin to show symptoms in a few weeks or up to three months. The first symptoms can mimic a cold or the flu; headache, fatigue, fever. More advanced symptoms occur when the virus infects the brain and are related to the nervous system. They include confusion, trouble swallowing, anxiety, or paralysis.

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    Rabid mammals

    • Dogs and cats can also transmit rabies

      Since the rabies virus is only transmitted from mammal to mammal, only mammals should be suspected of being infected. The most common mammals to transmit rabies are skunks, raccoons, bats, and foxes. Feral, or wild, cats and dogs can also be rabid and transmit the disease to unsuspecting people or pets. But a rabid mammal cannot infect a bird, fish or reptile.

    Treatment

    • Any treatment for rabies must begin before symptoms show up, otherwise, the disease proves fatal in almost all cases. However, if treatment is sought right after exposure, it can be cured quite effectively by injections of immune globulin given in five doses spread out over 28 days. The immune globulin is made of donor blood already containing the rabies vaccine. This staves off infection until the host can make antibodies on its own. When bitten by a rabid, or suspected rabid animal, the wound should immediately be washed thoroughly with soap and water.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Vaccinations can prevent rabies

      One of the most important preventative methods is to have all mammalian pets vaccinated against rabies. Prior to 1960, almost all reported cases of rabies were domestic animals and pets, but with the onset of rabies vaccinations, now almost all cases are in wild animals.

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