Rabies

Rabies

Rabies: A neglected zoonotic disease

© Tomas Stargardter


Rabies is a zoonotic disease (a disease that is transmitted from animals to humans) that is caused by a virus. It is known to be present on all continents except Antarctica and infects domestic and wild animals.

Rabies is spread to people through close contact with infected saliva via bites or scratches. The main route of rabies transmission to humans is the bite of rabid dogs. Most of the deaths occur in the absence of post-exposure prophylaxis. Rabies is nearly always fatal when left untreated.

The document entitled WHO Expert Consultation on Rabies, 5-8 October 2004. Technical Report Series 931 , Geneva 2005 will be replaced by a new Technical Report Series based on the outcome of a meeting that was held 18 to 20 September 2012. It will be available by early March 2013.

Although it is a vaccine-preventable disease, rabies still poses a significant public health problem in many countries in Asia and Africa where 95% of human deaths occur even though safe, effective vaccines for both human and veterinary use exist.

Nearly half of those bitten by suspect rabid animals are children under 15 years of age. Although the efficacy and safety of modern cell culture vaccines have been recognized, some countries still produce and use nervous tissue vaccines, which are less effective.

Rabies in the news!

29 August 2012 | Geneva
The 1st International Conference on Dog Population Management takes place from 4–8 September 2012 at the seat of the UK Food and Environment Research Agency. Discussions will focus on humane and sustainable dog population management. | More

25 July 2011 | South-Africa
Celebrating one year without a reported human case of rabies in KwaZuluNatal, South Africa

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A WHO & BMGF JOINT PROJECT

Human rabies prevention through dog rabies elimination in selected developing countries. A Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funded project coordinated by the WHO.