Rabies (hydrophobia) is a dangerous, naturally occurring infectious disease that affects the central nervous system. Unfortunately, to this day, rabies remains a disease with a 100% fatality rate. Both humans and animals can contract rabies. The primary sources of the infection for humans are domestic animals—most notably dogs (accounting for 60–70% of cases) and cats.
In nature, the rabies pathogen is harbored by wild animals, including wolves, corsac foxes, red foxes, jackals, rodents, and bats.
The rabies virus is rapidly destroyed by boiling, exposure to ultraviolet light, or a 2–3% chloramine solution, but it remains viable for long periods at low temperatures and when frozen.
