Peter Aaron

Historical Research

Four days since the outbreak began, reports are saying that all it is are riots in the
surrounding area but scientists are saying that its a viral outbreak of a mutated strain of
rabies. I have been sent into the area to conduct research on these allegations but for
the safely of myself I am going to be held up with a small group to insure my safety.

History of rabies
(Siegal,R.(1998,Decemder 1), Retrieved from https//httpsvirusstandford.edu)Rabies
virus was recognized in egypt before 2300 B.C and described by aristotle in ancient
Greece. It has been characterized by many as one of the oldest and most feared
diseases of both animals and man. It is the most lethal of all infectious diseases and
has the widest host range of any virus. Its was also responsible for inspiring one of the
biomedical discoveries in history. In 1885 Louis Pasteur developed the rabies vaccine
during a time when the nature of the viruses was still a mystery. It was the success of
this vaccine that inspired scientists to prevent infectious diseases by vaccination..
(Siegal,R.(1998,Decemder 1), Retrievedfrom https//httpsvirusstandford.edu)
Symptoms

(Genesi, A(n.d). retrieved from www.austincc.edu) Aminals: There are

two types of rabies symptoms in animals. Symptoms attributed to dumb Rabies

include paralysis, depression, and loss of fear. Symptoms indicative of furious
Rabies are better known and include .aggression, indiscriminate attacking, and
self mutilation.

(Genesi, A(n.d). retrieved from www.austincc.edu) Humans: Symptoms

for rabies can appear anywhere from 30 days to 6 months after exposure. The
first wave of symptoms is very general and includes malaise, fever, sore throat,
fatigue, muscle aches, and irritability. Pain and stinging emanating from the
original infection are early rabies specific symptoms. As the disease progresses,
symptoms become more specific. These can include a high fever, agitation,
seizures, hallucinations, hydrophobia, irregular breathing, and coma. More rarely
a progressive paralysis develops that leads to death.

Transmission
(Siegal,R.(1998,Decemder 1), Retrieved from https//httpsvirusstandford.edu)The most
common transmission of rabies is via the bite of a rabid animal which usually results in
the deposition of rabies infected saliva into the striated muscle. Transmission of the
virus can also occur after a superficial abrasion of the skin and in some environments,
such as bat caves, where the amount of virus may be high, it can be transmitted via
aerosol. Human to human transmission via saliva has been reported but has not been
substantiated. The only form of human to human transmission has been iatrogenically
via corneal transplantation from donors of undiagnosed rabies. The virus initially
replicates in the muscle cells or cells of the subepithelial tissue. Then when its
concentration is sufficient to infect the motor and sensory nerves in the muscle or skin it
binds the the acetylcholine receptors or other receptors entering the nerve endings. The
virus is then delivered to the central nervous system via axons in the spinal cord.
Vaccination

(Siegal,R.(1998,Decemder 1), Retrieved from https//httpsvirusstandford.edu)Rabies is

the only human disease that can be treated by a postexposure vaccination. This form of
treatment is can be utilized because the time of infection is generally known by the
victim and the incubation period for the disease is long. The vaccines utilized are live
attenuated vaccines. People at risk for acquiring rabies should be immunized with a
vaccination and also be administered rabies immune globulin intramuscularly and
around the bite. If the vaccine and the immune globulin is administered promptly after
infection the mortality of the disease will be decreased from 100% to zero. Individuals
categorized as "high risk" for rabies include laboratory personnel working with the rabies
virus, veterinarians, animal control and wildlife workers and travelers visiting areas
where rabies is known to exist.

References
(Siegal,R.(1998,Decemder 1), Retrieved from https//httpsvirusstandford.edu)
(Genesi, A(n.d). retrieved from www.austincc.edu)