Rabies is a zoonotic disease caused by the rabies virus, which can cause severe encephalitis and mainly occurs in warm-blooded animals.

Unvaccinated patients infected with the rabies virus will almost certainly die if they develop neurological symptoms. The cause is usually damage to the central nervous system (that is, the brain and spinal cord) by the virus, which is present in large amounts in the patient's cerebrospinal fluid, saliva and body fluids and is mainly spread through bites.

Many people or animals will show abnormal activity or aggression when suffering from infectious diseases, and even show other abnormal behaviors without being stimulated. Rabies may also manifest as paralysis, causing the patient to become quiet and withdrawn.

Thousands of people die from rabies every year, and it is spread in more than 100 countries. Communities lacking health and veterinary services are the most vulnerable, often facing higher risks and fewer treatment options.

Successful rabies control requires adhering to three basic principles: community participation, publicity and education, and mass dog vaccination, as well as prompt treatment of rabies bite victims. Countries are taking active actions to strengthen rabies prevention and control, striving to achieve the goal of no human deaths by 2030, and ultimately eliminate the threat of rabies and make it history.

Fact 2: Once symptoms of rabies appear, it often means the end of life.

About "What exactly is rabies?" Extended content overview: Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by the rabies virus and widely spread in humans and animals. The disease attacks the central nervous system, causing acute symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and restlessness, followed by manic symptoms such as intense fear, restlessness, biting, dysphagia, and convulsions. wait. Once rabies attacks, the condition will continue to worsen until the patient dies. There is currently no effective treatment, and prevention and immunity are the most effective means of control. Humans are most commonly infected with rabies through dog bites, so dog vaccination and controlling the stray dog ​​population are key to preventing rabies.