What are the causes of Rabies?

Rabies infection is caused a virus known as rabies virus. It is spread by saliva of infected animals when they bite a person or another animal. At times you can get the infection if an infected animal licks on an open wound or the mucous membranes, such as the mouth or eyes comes in contact with saliva of the infected animal.

Rabies virus can be transmitted by any mammal. Animals that are most likely to transmit the rabies virus include;

• Pets and farm animals

• Cats

• Cows

• Dogs

• Ferrets

• Goats

• Horses

• Rabbits

• Wild animals

• Bats

• Beavers

• Coyotes

• Foxes

• Monkeys

• Raccoons

• Skunks

• Woodchucks

Your risk of rabies is increased if;

• You live or travel to area or countries where rabies is more common such as Africa and Southeast Asia

• Activities which increase your risk of contact with wild animals such as camping in the wild without adequate precautions to keep wild animals away from your campsite

• Working with the rabies virus as in a lab