Rabies is a preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system of mammals, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death.
Common carriers and prevention methods
The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention each year occur in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes, although any mammal can get rabies. Prevention includes visiting a veterinarian regularly, keeping pets vaccinated, controlling pets, spaying or neutering, calling animal control for stray animals, leaving wildlife alone, washing bites with soap and water, consulting a healthcare provider if bitten, and vaccinating pets. Rabies in people is 100% preventable through prompt medical care.
Summary of key safety takeaways
The article emphasizes that rabies is a serious condition that can be prevented through responsible pet care and avoidance of wildlife contact.
