Rabies

What is rabies?

A virus that attacks the brain and nerves. It passes from animals to people, and dogs cause almost all human cases.

Signs

First fever, and pain or tingling where the bite was. Later, fear of water or air and wild behaviour, or creeping weakness that leads to coma.

How it spreads

Through an infected animal's saliva, mostly from bites or scratches, or saliva getting into the eyes, mouth or an open wound.

How to protect yourself

Vaccinating dogs is the best way to stop rabies. After a bite, cleaning the wound and getting rabies vaccine quickly stops the disease.

Get medical help

Get care straight away after any bite or scratch from an animal that might have rabies. Once signs appear, rabies is almost always deadly.

In Dooram's words, from the World Health Organization. Source: Rabies (WHO fact sheet), read 8 October 2026. General information, not medical advice.