Key facts Rabies is a rare but serious infection usually caught from a bite or scratch of an infected animal It is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but can be prevented with vaccination and early treatment The rabies virus affects the central nervous system, causing severe brain disease and death if not treated before symptoms start Dog bites and scratches cause 99 per cent of human rabies cases, but it can also be transmitted by other mammals such as bats, raccoons and foxes Rabies is present on all continents except Antarctica Overview Rabies is a viral disease that is fatal if medical care is not received promptly. It is zoonotic, meaning it can spread between animals and humans. Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, usually via bites, scratches, or direct contact with mucous membranes – for example, eyes, mouth or open wounds. The rabies virus affects the central nervous system, causing severe brain disease and death.…