"Rabies is an acute viral infection of the central nervous system that affects mammals. It is transmitted by the bite of an infected animal and results in a terminal infection with a clinical period of 3-7 days, after a typical incubation period of 2 weeks to 3 months. A rabid animal can only transmit the disease through the saliva during the terminal clinical period and for as many as 5 days prior to showing signs of the disease. Rabies in most animals is characterized by changes of behavior (including aggressiveness or unusual friendliness) and paralysis, especially of the hindquarters and throat.

"Although rabies is primarily transmitted by bite there is some risk of infection should saliva or nervous tissue from a rabid animal get into an open wound or onto mucous membranes.

"In the United States, the primary maintenance hosts for rabies continue to be foxes, skunks, raccoons and bats. These species of animals continue to be infected year after year transmitting infection by bite within the species and frequently to other species."

(Source: New York State Department of Health)

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