Articles

Rabies is a highly lethal viral zoonotic disease with significant mortality worldwide. Lyssaviruses, members of the family Rhabdoviridae, are primarily transmitted through the bite or saliva of infected animals. It is highly fatal in warm-blooded animals due to involvement of the CNS, five structural protein virus and causing acute progressive encephalitis. The incubation period varies greatly and depends on the depth of the wound. There is no effective treatment once the clinical signs appear. Effective rabies management requires immediate wound cleansing, followed by timely pre-exposure and post-exposure vaccination when needed. Recent advances have improved vaccine safety and immunogenicity through the development of embryo vaccines, modified live vaccines, tissue culture vaccines, cell culture vaccines, and inactivated vaccines, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of rabies prevention. This article provides a comprehensive overview of rabies, its pathogenesis and emphasizes the importance of early prevention, effective vaccination, and continued research for global rabies elimination.