Classification

Taxonomy

• Family: Rhabdoviridae.
• Genus: Lyssavirus.
• RNA virus.

Etymology

• Gk: rhabdos- rod; refers to the shape of the virus. Often described as bullet-shaped; lyssa- rage, fury.

Distribution

• Widely distributed throughout the world except in some European countries (including United Kingdom, Italy, France and Switzerland), Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Antarctica and some Caribbean countries.
• Particularly prevalent in India which accounts for a third of the global total of human deaths due to rabies.

Significance

• Causes rabies Rabies.
• All mammals susceptible. Birds also susceptible but less so than mammals.