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==Virulence and Pathogenesis==
*Rabies is moderately resistant: it can survive well in dark places at low temperatures for several days
*Infection occurs through a '''penetrating bite''' in which virus is transmitted via '''saliva'''
*'''Incubation''' period is variable but can be long (10 days to 12 months), and increases with distance of the bite to the CNS
**80% show signs within 4 months
*Primary replication of the virus occurs in the '''muscle'''
*The virus gains access to nervous tissue and travels toward the '''brain''', where it continues to replicate
*It then migrates down cranial nerves to infect salivary glands and the cornea
*Virus is shed in '''saliva''' and '''tears''' and can be shed BEFORE the onset of classical signs
*The onset of clinical signs in dogs and cats includes:
**Behavioral changes
**Pyrexia
**Salivation
**Dilation of pupils
*Two forms of the virus exist:
**'''Furious''' form:
***Common to cats and dogs
***Abnormal aggression, salivation, and attack without provocation
***Disordered wandering, "copulatory" movements.
***Incoordination, convulsions, coma and death within 3-10 days
**'''Dumb''' form
***May or may not follow Furious form
***Common to ruminants and horses
***Ruminal tympany, tenesmus, diarrhoea
***Paralysis of lower jaw, drooling saliva, tremors and progressive paralysis
***In dogs, a change in voice may be observed (bellowing)
*Human infection is characterized by '''hydrophobia'''
=Epidemiology=
==Epidemiology==
*Rabies is a '''NOTIFIABLE''' zoonosis
*Rabies is a '''NOTIFIABLE''' zoonosis
*Rabies is found worldwide, though currently considered exotic to the UK and Australia
*Rabies is found worldwide, though currently considered exotic to the UK and Australia
*Immune recovered animals are rare, but are not shown to be infections
*Immune recovered animals are rare, but are not shown to be infections
=Diagnosis=
==Diagnosis==
*'''Isolate''' and monitor for clinical signs
*'''Isolate''' and monitor for clinical signs
*In the field:
*In the field:
**RT-PCR on brain or saliva can be performed to determine genotype
**RT-PCR on brain or saliva can be performed to determine genotype
=Rabies Control=
==Rabies Control==
For countries where rabies is considered exotic:
For countries where rabies is considered exotic:
*6 month quarantine of carnivores and ruminants (Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand)
*6 month quarantine of carnivores and ruminants (Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand)