EPIDEMIOLOGY

- Transmitted by bites through infected saliva (and by aerosols where high concentrations of virus eg in caves where there are high concentrations of bats).

- Found throughout the world but some countries free.

- Wildlife act as important reservoir hosts; the species involved varies with continent:
Europe - Fox, [badger, weasel, stoat ];
Russia and the Middle East - Wolf [dog];
U.S.A. - Fox, skunk [ wildcat];
Africa, India - Dog;
S. America - Bat - vampire.