Rabies is a disease that is transmissible from animals to humans (a zoonotic disease) and is nearly always fatal. The rabies virus is spread via saliva, most commonly through bite wounds. Infection may also occur through contact with infected saliva getting in eyes, mouth, or open wounds. Vaccination with a killed version of this virus is protective.
Human and animal deaths from rabies happen daily around the world. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in partnership with other health organizations, has created WorldRabiesDay.org to create awareness and campaign to end this preventable disease.
More than 55,000 people, mostly in Africa and Asia, die from rabies every year - a rate of one person every ten minutes. The most important global source of rabies in humans is from uncontrolled rabies in dogs.
Read full article at WorldRabiesDay.org.
Human infections and deaths from rabies happen in North America too, as noted this story and this story from August 2011.
Protecting Your Pets and Yourself from Rabies
What happens if your dog or cat is attacked by a wild animal? The first line of defense is vaccination. Rabies vaccination of dogs and cats is required by law in the US. Keeping your pets' vaccinations up to date protect them and you.
Learn what to do if your pet is potentially exposed to rabies in this new article by Lorie Huston, DVM, About.com Veterinary Medicine Contributing Writer.
Readers Respond: Are your pets vaccinated regularly?
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Comments
Rabies vaccinations also kill cats and dogs by the side effects, so it is bad for your pet. My cat lives indoors, so I do not expose him to a rabies shot every year. my Vet doest like them and will not give my cat one if I do not want him to.