Epidemiology and Transmission Rabies is spread through contact with infected secretions. This occurs most often via a bite wound from an infected animal. Infected saliva can spread disease into open cuts. In caves, disease may occur when bat guano is aerosolized and inhaled.
Many animal species can carry rabies including dogs, cats, skunks, raccoons, bats and cattle.
Travelers at high risk include veterinarians, spelunkers, and those who will handle wild animals. Long-term travelers to highly endemic countries such as Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam are at increased risk. Travelers to developing countries who will not have access to medical care for prolonged periods may also consider pre-exposure prophylaxis. Etiology Rabies is caused by a virus from the Rhabdoviridae family. The virus climbs up peripheral nerves to reach the central nervous system and disseminate throughout the body.