Rabies is an acute encephalomyelitis that almost always
progresses to coma or death within 10 days after the first symptom.
Laboratory evidence
detection of Lyssavirus antigens in a clinical specimen
(preferably the brain or the nerves surrounding hair follicles in the nape of
the neck) by direct fluorescent antibody test, or
isolation (in cell culture or in a laboratory animal) of a
Lyssavirus from saliva or central nervous system tissue, or
identification of Lyssavirus specific antibody (i.e. by indirect
fluorescent antibody (IFA) test or complete rabies virus neutralization at 1:5
dilution) in the CSF, or
identification of Lyssavirus specific antibody (i.e. by indirect
fluorescent antibody (IFA) test or complete rabies virus neutralization at 1:5
dilution) in the serum of an unvaccinated person, or
detection of Lyssavirus viral RNA (using reverse
transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR]) in saliva, CSF, or tissue.
Case classification
Confirmed: a clinically compatible
case that is laboratory confirmed by testing at a state or federal public health
laboratory.
For this disease/condition, Confirmed case statuses are included in the released case count.
Comment
Laboratory confirmation by all of the above methods is strongly
recommended.