The rabies pathogen is part of the Rhabdoviridae family, falling under the Lyssavirus genus, which consists of 15 known viral types. Every member of this group is capable of triggering a rabies infection in humans.
Rabies, a disease affecting the CNS, is transmitted amongst most mammals. Many countries have conquered rabies. Worldpopulationreview.com offers a list of countries where rabies has been kicked out. Much of Europe bid rabies ta ta and 56 countries are rabies-free. Let's examine a few of them...
After the Rabies Control Act came into force in 1950, widespread dog vaccinations and strict management of strays helped wipe out the disease. By 1957, the country had successfully eliminated rabies.
Rabies was wiped out among land animals back in 2008 in Germany, marking a major public health milestone. Today, the virus exists only among certain bat species. From 1981 to 2005, just nine people lost their lives to rabies.
The UK first achieved rabies-free status in 1902, but the disease resurfaced after World War I again. By 1922, Britain had once again eliminated rabies by introducing strict quarantine rules for all incoming pets.
The battle against rabies ended in success in France through mass vaccination and public awareness. The nation has been declared rabies-free in domestic animals since 2001.
The country celebrated its rabies-free status in 1997. But the virus made a brief return between 2008 and 2011, mainly affecting foxes. Italy successfully stamped out the outbreak once more, reclaiming its rabies-free title in 2013.
Its radiant landscapes hide a quiet achievement: Complete freedom from rabies.
The Land Down Under remains proudly free of rabies, with only two human deaths ever recorded, both contracted abroad in 1987 and 1990. Neighbour New Zealand has an equally spotless record.