Rabies information Rabies information Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. The virus is usually transmitted by a bite from a rabid animal.
Most common carriers are wild animals.
Because of the widespread use of vaccines, the spread of rabies through domestic animals in the United States is not as common as it used to be, but it's always best to be cautious and request shot records from the owner of any animal that has bitten you. If no shot record is available then the animal may be quarantined as a precautionary measure. If the animal is uninfected then no treatment is required. If the animal dies within the quarantine period, the animal's head is removed and the brain is tested for the rabies virus. If the animal that has bitten you is a wild animal, then do what you can to capture the animal.