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Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. The virus is secreted in saliva and is usually transmitted by a bite from an infected animal, but can also (although less commonly) be transmitted from infected saliva entering an open wound or the eyes, nose or mouth of a person or animal.
Only mammals can get rabies. Most cases of rabies are seen in wild animals, mainly skunks, raccoons, coyotes, bats and foxes. In recent years, cats have become the most common domestic animal infected with rabies. This is because many cat owners do not have their cats vaccinated before they are exposed to rabid wildlife outdoors. Improved vaccination programs and control of stray animal populations have been effective in preventing rabies in most pets. Approved rabies vaccines are available for dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep and ferrets.
Once the rabies virus enters the body, it travels from the nervous system to the brain. Dogs, cats and ferrets with rabies may show signs including fearfulness, aggression, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, staggering and seizures. Wild animals infected with rabies may only display unusual behavior, such as a normally nocturnal animal wandering around during the day.
Rabies vaccinations and animal control programs have dramatically reduced the number of human rabies cases in the United States. Most of the few recent human cases in this country have been the result of exposure to bats. Dogs are still a significant source of rabies in other countries, however, so travelers should be aware of this risk when out of the country.
You can reduce the possibility of rabies exposure in several ways. Perhaps the most important is to make sure you have your pets vaccinated against the rabies virus. You can also reduce exposure by not allowing your pets to roam free. Cats, dogs and ferrets should be kept indoors unless otherwise supervised. Don't leave exposed garbage or pet food outside, as this may attract wild animals. Likewise, wild animals should never be kept as pets. Observe all wild animals from a distance, and teach children to never approach an unfamiliar animal, even if they appear friendly. If you see a wild animal acting strangely, report it to animal control (City of San Jose Animal Care and Services can be reached at (408) 578-7297).
For more information: www.cdc.org, www.avma.org
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