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How Is Rabies Transmitted to Humans?

Rabies, or hydrophobia, is a disease that has been mostly eradicated in many countries of the world through pet vaccination. On some continents, however, such as Asia and South America, rabies is still prevalent and causes thousands of human deaths every year. In almost all of these cases, the human has been infected by a sick animal.

  1. Rabies in Humans

    • Rabies is a virus that affects the central nervous system. It progresses fairly slowly, and it can sometimes take a year for symptoms to even begin. Once they do, they are what one might expect from a disease affecting the brain: vision problems, seizures, mood swings and sensitive vision. It also affects the salivary glands, which can make it difficult to drink water, and lends the disease's alternate name of hydrophobia (fear of water). Unfortunately, once symptoms have appeared, rabies is incurable. This is why it's important, if you're bitten by any strange animal, to get treated right away.

    Rabies in the Wild

    • Rabies in wild animals progresses in much the same way as it does in humans. The disease passes between infected animals through biting or, sometimes, through nursing young. Infected animals will often attack with little or no provocation and behave in ways that are atypical of their species. For instance, a raccoon, which is normally nocturnal, may be active during the day.

    Rabies and Pets

    • All mammalian pets (besides caged animals, like rodents) should be vaccinated against rabies. This is the number one way to prevent the disease from spreading to your pets and your family. In most states, it is legally required that you can provide proof of this vaccination, and, if your animal gets into a fight and has not been vaccinated, it it usually required that you either euthanize the animal or pay heavy costs for a quarantine.

    Transmission

    • Rabies is transmitted to humans through the saliva of an infected animal. This usually occurs when the animal has bitten a human and the saliva gets into the open wound. Less often, the virus can spread when saliva touches an open sore or wound or even the thin skin around the eyes and mouth. If you suspect you've come into any sort of contact with a rabid animal, you should seek medical attention.

    Risk Animals

    • Some animals are more prone to carrying rabies than others. In countries where pet vaccination is rare or the stray dog population is high, dogs are major carriers of the disease. Other high-risk animals are raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes. Contact with any of these animals should be strictly avoided, especially if the animal is acting strangely.

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