What is Rabies?

Rabies is an acute viral disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS) — the brain and spinal cord — and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. The disease is caused by the rabies virus, which belongs to the genus Lyssavirus in the Rhabdoviridae family.

The virus is typically transmitted to humans through the bite or scratch of an infected animal, most commonly through saliva. In many parts of the world, domestic dogs are the main source of rabies transmission to humans, but other animals like cats, bats, foxes, and raccoons can also carry the virus.

Signs & Symptoms

1

Incubation period

Duration: 5 days to 2 years

Virus begins traveling towards the nervous system with no symptoms.

Symptoms may also include:

2

Prodromal/Early

Duration: 0-10 days

What may occur

  • Fever
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Tingling and burning at the site

Symptoms may also include:

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3

Neurological

Duration: 2-7 days

What may occur

Muscle Weakness
Hyper excitability and agitation
Confusion and delirium
Hydrophobia (irrational fear of water)

Symptoms may also include:

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4

Coma

Duration: 2-7 days

What may occur

Muscle Weakness
Hyper excitability and agitation
Confusion and delirium
Hydrophobia (irrational fear of water)

Symptoms may also include:

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5

Death

Duration: 2-7 days

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Rabies is a fatal disease.

Untreated rabies is almost always fatal but 100% vaccine-preventable

Who is most at risk?

Certain occupations may place you at increased risk of exposure to rabies.

  • People who work with rabies in laboratory settings
  • Veterinarians, veterinary students, and animal handlers
  • Animal control and wildlife officers
  • Outdoor recreational, natural resources, forestry, fish and game workers, and wildlife guides in areas that may have a higher risk
  • Missionary workers traveling to certain countries

Even beyond bites and scratches, rabies can be transmitted through a break in the skin if licked by an infected animal.

Locations at risk

Take a look at the level of risk for rabies around the world. Risk shown here is based on the type of animal transmitting the rabies virus, data about the magnitude and distribution of rabies, access to proper medical care, and availability of rabies vaccines and HRIG treatment.7,8

Countries A–Z

How to prevent Rabies

The rabies vaccine is recommended if you’re travelling to a part of the world where rabies is more common, especially if:

  • you’re going somewhere where it may be hard to get medical help quickly
  • you might come into contact with infected animals (for example, you’ll be doing lots of outdoor activities like cycling or running)
  • you’re staying for over a month
  • Some people at risk of rabies through their work should also get vaccinated.
  • You have to pay for the rabies vaccine for travel. You can get it from travel health clinics and pharmacies with travel health services.

Treatment for Rabies

If you’ve been bitten, scratched or licked by an animal that may have rabies, a doctor will check if you need treatment.
Treatment usually involves:

  • 2 or more doses of the rabies vaccine
  • a medicine called rabies immunoglobulin, a liquid given into the wound or by injection (this is only needed if you’ve not had the rabies vaccine before or have a weakened immune system)
  • If treated quickly, treatment is usually very effective at preventing rabies.

Rabies is a fatal disease.

Untreated rabies is almost always fatal but 100% vaccine-preventable Untreated rabies is almost always fatal but 100% vaccine-preventableUntreated rabies is almost always fatal but 100% vaccine-preventable

Vaccination

No vaccines found for this disease.

Patient Stories

Find out how vaccination has helped other travellers from around the world.

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Rabies Resources

Find out the latest updates and information on Rabies.

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18 June 2025