The rabies virus can be found in Europe, large parts of Africa, Asia and South America. It is transmitted through the bite or saliva of an infected animal.
The infection is followed by spasms of the muscles of swallowing (deglutition) and respiration and by heart paralysis. To this day no case is known in which a patient has survived a rabies infection.
The vaccination consists of 3 injections at an interval of 0, 7 and 21 or 28 days. The protection lasts about 5 years and already exists after 2 weeks post the series of vaccinations. A prolongation of another 5 years is obtained by a singular vaccination renewal.