Rabies

Rabies is a viral infection of the nervous system that can infect almost all mammals, including humans. Worldwide, the principal hosts for rabies are the domestic (tame) dog, and bats. Once infected, the virus becomes concentrated in an infected animal's saliva and is passed on through the animal's bite. It can also be passed on by contact with infected saliva through scratches, licks on broken skin and around the mouth and eyes. It is estimated that following a deep wound from an animal with rabies, a significant proportion of people will go on to develop rabies. 

Rabies is one of the oldest recognised diseases in man and is a notifiable disease in Ireland.

There has not been a case of rabies in animals in Ireland since 1902.