Is a serious viral disease that affects the brain. It is transmitted to humans by saliva from the bite of an infected animal. (dogs, cats, bats, skunks, raccoons and coyotes). Rabies is almost always fatal. Death due to heart or respiratory failure and paralysis usually occurs within 7 to 25 days after symptoms appear. Treatment consists of administration of a passive antibody and rabies vaccine, given as five injections on separate days. Pre-exposure vaccine consists of 3 injections over a 3 to 4 week period.