The rabies virus belongs to the genus Lyssavirus, a group of viruses responsible for causing encephalitis. Twelve distinct lyssavirus species can be distinguished within the genus, the classical rabies virus (RABV) being the most important one for public and animal health. The different RABV variants circulate in carnivores, most commonly domestic dogs and cats and, depending on the continent, various other species of carnivores (including foxes and jackals) or chiroptera (bats).