Identification: Rabies is an almost invariably fatal, acute viral encephalomyelitis. The disease progresses to paresis or paralysis; spasm of the swallowing muscles leads to fear of water (hydrophobia); delirium and convulsions follow. The usual duration is 2-6 days, sometimes longer; death is often due to respiratory paralysis.

For all of the diseases mentioned in the next series of slides, information on the identification, infectious agent, occurrence, reservoir, mode of transmission, incubation period, and methods of control and prevention is taken from Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, Sixteenth edition, Abram S. Benenson, Editor, American Public Health Association, 1995.