RABIES VIRUS

ALFISHA,JUVERIYA,KHIZRA

1
 INTRODUCTION
• Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals,
including humans. It is caused by the rabies virus, which is transmitted through
the saliva of infected animals, usually through a bite. Rabies is a zoonotic disease,
which means it can be transmitted from animals to humans.
• Rabies virus belongs to the order Mononegavirales, viruses with a
nonsegmented, negative-stranded RNA genomes. Within this group, viruses with
a distinct “bullet” shape are classified in the Rhabdoviridae family, which includes
at least three genera of animal viruses, Lyssavirus, Ephemerovirus, and
Vesiculovirus

2
 Description of rabies viral
structure
Rabies Virus. Rabies virus (RABV)
is a strictly neurotropic virus that
slowly propagates in the nervous
system (NS) of the infected host
from the site of entry (usually due to
a bite) up to the site of exit (salivary
glands).

The rabies virus is a negative-sense, non-segmented, single-stranded RNA

virus measuring approximately 60 nm × 180 nm. It is composed of an
internal protein core or nucleocapsid, containing the nucleic acid, and an
outer envelope, a lipid-containing bilayer covered with transmembrane
glycoprotein spikes
3
4
SYMPTOMS OF RABIES IN HUMAN

o HEADACHE, MUSCLE WEAKNESS, AND TINGLING OR NUMBNESS AT THE SITE

OF BITE.
• As the disease progresses, symptoms can include anxiety, confusion,
hallucinations,& paralysis.
 Once the SYMPTOMS appear, rabies is almost always fatal, which is why
it is considered a public health concern.

5
6
7
Prevention of rabies virus involves a combination of measures to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus and to
prevent the virus from spreading. Here are some ways to prevent rabies:

1. Vaccination: The most effective way to prevent rabies is to get vaccinated against the virus. The vaccine is safe,
effective, and widely available. In many countries, it is recommended for people who work with animals or who are
at risk of exposure to the virus.

2. Avoid contact with animals: Avoid contact with wild animals, especially bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and stray
dogs and cats. If you come into contact with an animal, do not touch it, and report it to local animal control
authorities.

3. Protect pets: Keep your pets vaccinated against rabies and keep them under control. Do not let your pets roam
freely, and do not feed or handle wild animals.

4. Proper wound care: If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water
and seek medical attention immediately. The healthcare provider will assess the risk of rabies and provide
appropriate treatment.

5. Educate yourself and others: Learn about rabies, its symptoms, and ways to prevent it. Educate your family,
friends, and community about the importance of rabies prevention.

6. Control stray animal populations: Governments and local authorities should take measures to control stray
8
animal
populations, including vaccination, sterilization, and humane methods of population control. This can help reduce
the risk of rabies transmission to humans.
Rabies is a serious and often fatal viral disease that affects the central nervous
system. Once symptoms appear, there is no known cure for rabies, and the
disease is almost always fatal. Therefore, it is crucial to seek medical attention
immediately after exposure to the virus and before symptoms appear.

There are two types of treatment for rabies:

1. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP): PEP is a series of injections given after

exposure to the rabies virus. It includes a dose of rabies immune globulin (RIG)
and a series of rabies vaccine shots over a period of several weeks. PEP is highly
effective in preventing rabies if given promptly after exposure.

2. Treatment of symptomatic rabies: If symptoms of rabies appear, there is no

known cure for the disease. Treatment is generally supportive and focuses on
managing symptoms to make the patient as comfortable as possible. This may
include medications to control pain, anxiety, and seizures, as well as artificial
ventilation to support breathing. However, once symptoms appear, the disease
is almost always fatal.

•It is important to note that the best way to prevent rabies is to take preventive
measures, such as getting vaccinated, avoiding contact with wild animals, and
properly caring for pets. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, wash the
wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention 9 immediately,
even if you have been vaccinated against rabies.
10
10 multiple-choice questions on rabies:

1. What type of virus causes rabies?

a) Retrovirus
b) Herpesvirus
c) Rhabdovirus
d) Adenovirus
Answer: c) Rhabdovirus

2. What is the most common mode of transmission of rabies to humans?

a) Inhalation of droplets
b) Sexual contact
c) Blood transfusion
d) Bite of an infected animal
Answer: d) Bite of an infected animal

3. Which of the following animals is the most common carrier of rabies in the United States?
a) Raccoon
b) Bat
c) Skunk
d) Fox
11
Answer: a) Raccoon
4. What is the incubation period for rabies in humans?
a) 1-2 days
b) 1-2 weeks
c) 1-2 months
d) 1-2 years
Answer: c) 1-2 months

5. Which of the following is the most effective way to prevent rabies in humans?
a) Vaccination
b) Antibiotic therapy
c) Antiviral therapy
d) Supportive care
Answer: a) Vaccination

6. What is the recommended treatment for a person who has been bitten by an animal suspected of having rabies?
a) Rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin
b) Antibiotic therapy
c) Antiviral therapy
12
d) Supportive care
Answer: a) Rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin
7. What is the most common clinical presentation of rabies in humans?
a) Paralysis
b) Encephalitis
c) Meningitis
d) Pneumonia
Answer: b) Encephalitis

8. What is the "furious" form of rabies?

a) A form of rabies characterized by agitation, hyperactivity, and hydrophobia
b) A form of rabies characterized by paralysis and muscle weakness
c) A form of rabies characterized by respiratory failure and pneumonia
d) A form of rabies characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms and diarrhea
Answer: a) A form of rabies characterized by agitation, hyperactivity, and hydrophobia

9. In which of the following countries is rabies still a major public health problem?
a) United States
b) Canada
c) Australia
d) India
Answer: d) India
10. Can rabies be transmitted from person to person?
a) Yes, through sexual contact
13
b) Yes, through inhalation of droplets
c) No, only through the bite of an infected animal
d) No, rabies cannot be transmitted from person to person
Answer: d) No, rabies cannot be transmitted from person to person
10 subjective questions on rabies:

1. Describe the pathogenesis of rabies infection in humans, including the role of viral replication and host immune
response.

2. Discuss the clinical manifestations of rabies infection in humans, including the "furious" and "dumb" forms of the
disease.

3. Explain the epidemiology of rabies and the role of animal reservoirs in transmission to humans.

4. Describe the diagnostic tests used to confirm a diagnosis of rabies in humans and animals.

5. Discuss the current state of research on new treatments for rabies, including antiviral medications and
immunomodulatory therapies.

6. Explain the role of vaccination in preventing rabies in humans and animals, including current recommendations
14
for pre-
and post-exposure prophy…
 Discuss the challenges in controlling and eliminating rabies in developing countries, including the
Discuss importance of community education and outreach programs.

Describe the ethical considerations surrounding the use of animal testing in the development and
Describe testing of rabies vaccines and treatments.

Discuss the economic impact of rabies on affected communities, including the costs of treatment,
Discuss prevention, and control.

Explain the role of international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the
Explain World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) in global efforts to control and eliminate rabies.

15
16