Aristotle in 300 B.C. described this disease as being caused by the bite or tooth scratch of an infected animal. He further stated that once the symptoms of the disease appeared in man or animal, death occurred in a few days. This is as true today as it was in ancient times. The virus causing rabies follows the nervous system from the area of the bite to the brain. The time from exposure to the first clinical symptoms varies form 10 days to as long as six months.
Most cases occur within three to six weeks.
Rabies identification is possible only if the suspected animal, and particularly its head, has been handled in the proper way. If some person or domestic animal has been bitten, the principal concern is whether or not the biting animal had rabies. The bitten animal may be a potential future case of rabies and a source of human exposure. Bites involving dogs, cats, etc. The Division of Health makes no charge for the tests, but the local veterinarian may charge a fee for his services.