Rabies: risk assessment, post-exposure treatment, management

Rabies is an encephalitis caused by rabies virus, a member of the rhabdovirus family. It is an acute viral infection that is almost invariably fatal once symptoms develop. Transmission is generally through the bite of an infected animal, usually dogs, but also cats, bats and other wildlife. A course of rabies vaccination can prevent infection and death. It is important that a medical practitioner assesses all animal bites, especially: bat bites in the UK any other animal bites overseas Diagnosis of rabies in the early stages is often difficult as symptoms may be non-specific. Clinical rabies is a notifiable disease in England. Rabies post-exposure treatment guidelines can be found on this web directory: - 1. Rabies risks by country 29 May 2014 Guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rabies-risks-by-country 2. Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis: management guidelines 9 February 2015 Guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rabies-post-exposure-prophylaxis-management-guidelines 3. Rabies post exposure risk assessment form and calendar 29 April 2015 Form https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rabies-post-exposure-risk-assessment-form-and-calendar 4. Rabies risk assessment: treatment after exposure to terrestrial animals 29 April 2015 Guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rabies-risk-assessment-treatment-after-exposure-to-terrestrial-animals 5. Rabies risk assessment: treatment after exposure to bats 29 April 2015 Guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rabies-risk-assessment-treatment-after-exposure-to-bats 6. Rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin: administering Ig SRCN0510 30 September 2014 Guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rabies-vaccine-and-immunoglobulin-administering-ig-srcn0510 7. Rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin: administering Ig BP08947111P 29 April 2015 Guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rabies-vaccine-and-immunoglobulin-administering-ig-bp08947111p