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Most cases of humans contracting rabies from infected animals are in developing nations. In 2010, an estimated 26,000 people died from the disease, down from 54,000 in 1990. [6] The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that dogs are the main source of human rabies deaths, contributing up to 99% of all transmissions of the disease to humans. [7]
Saliva from an infected animal can also transmit rabies if the saliva comes into contact with the eyes, mouth, or nose. [1] Globally, dogs are the most common animal involved. [1] In countries where dogs commonly have the disease, more than 99% of rabies cases in humans are the direct result of dog bites. [11]
3D still showing rabies virus structure. Rhabdoviruses have helical symmetry, so their infectious particles are approximately cylindrical in shape. They are characterized by an extremely broad host spectrum ranging from plants [citation needed] to insects [citation needed] and mammals; human-infecting viruses more commonly have icosahedral symmetry and take shapes approximating regular polyhedra.
In the United States, rabies affects only mammals and is mostly found in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. Contact with infected bats is the leading cause of human rabies deaths ...
In 2024, there was also a rabies human death in Minnesota (contracted from a bat), [52] and a rabies human death in Kentucky (believed to have been acquired abroad). [53] Human exposure to the virus is dependent on the prevalence of the virus in animals, thus investigations into the incidence and distribution of animal populations is vital.
Like all mammals, they also are susceptible to rabies. In addition, although they startle easily and would rather flee than fight, they will defend themselves if cornered.
Pets can transmit a number of diseases. Dogs and cats are routinely vaccinated against rabies. Pets can also transmit ringworm and Giardia, which are endemic in both animal and human populations. Toxoplasmosis is a common infection of cats; in humans it is a mild disease although it can be dangerous to pregnant women. [47]
Rabies can be transmitted to humans and other animals by vampire bat bites. Since dogs are now widely immunized against rabies , the number of human rabies transmissions by vampire bats exceeds those by dogs in Latin America, with 55 documented cases in 2005. [ 45 ]