The Robert Koch Institute in Germany has reported that rabies is a highly dangerous viral disease that directly attacks the central nervous system, gradually disrupting its functions. Rabies is considered a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. The main carriers of the virus are stray dogs, unvaccinated cats, monkeys, and bats, which serve as primary reservoirs for the infection.
The institute explained that the most common mode of transmission is through contact with the saliva of infected animals, usually via bites, scratches, or when contaminated saliva comes into contact with an open wound. Once the virus enters the body, it begins traveling along the nerves toward the brain, making it one of the deadliest diseases if medical intervention is not sought very early.
The early symptoms of infection typically include recurring headaches, unexplained anxiety and nervousness, fever, and tingling or itching near the site of the bite or scratch. As the disease progresses, more severe symptoms may appear, such as difficulty swallowing, muscle spasms, and hypersensitivity to light, sound, or even moving air. According to experts, rabies is almost always fatal in both animals and humans once symptoms have developed and no prior preventive treatment has been given.
The Robert Koch Institute emphasized that the rabies vaccine provides reliable and effective protection against the disease. It is generally administered in three consecutive doses to ensure strong immunity against the virus. The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) strongly recommends that travelers heading to areas where rabies is known to be widespread—particularly in parts of Asia and Africa—receive preventive vaccination before departure to reduce the risk of infection.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates from 2018, more than 60,000 people die from rabies each year, with the overwhelming majority of cases occurring in Asia and Africa. Statistics show that unvaccinated dogs remain the primary source of transmission. The WHO stresses the urgent need to raise awareness about the severity of rabies and to expand vaccination campaigns for both animals and humans as an effective strategy to reduce infections and deaths caused by the disease.
