title: [Vaccination against rabies: how and when?].
abstract: Each year, more than 55,000 people die from rabies. Rabies virus (RABV) is                     transmitted via bites from infected animals. Dogs represent the most important                     source of infections worldwide. In Germany, the last case of terrestrial rabies                     was reported in 2006. Therefore, the country has been considered rabies-free                     since September 2008 (as defined by World Organization of Animal Health, OIE).                     Bat rabies, however, is still endemic and mostly occurs in northern Germany. It                     is caused by the European Bat Lyssa Virus (EBLV), which is closely related to                     RABV. Cases of rabies in humans are almost 100 % lethal, therefore, the correct                     choice of prophylactic measures is essential. Pre-exposition vaccination is                     recommended for individuals at risk of contact to Rabies Virus. If used together                     with post-exposure measures, it confers high-grade protection against disease                     manifestation. Even non-vaccinated individuals exposed to Rabies Virus can be                     protected from overt disease in almost all cases with timely and accurate                     application of post-exposure vaccination. The mode and intensity of exposure                     determine the choice of regimen (wound treatment, active and passive                     vaccination).
authors.affiliation: Klinik 1 für Innere Medizin, Universitätsklinik Köln. tim.kuemmerle@uk-koeln.de
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kümmerle
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fätkenheuer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hallek
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000453:epidemiology; D015984:Causality; D004199:Disease Vectors; D004285:Dogs; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D032541:Mass Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011818:Rabies / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011819:Rabies Vaccines