*Introductory Chapter: Rabies in the 21st Century DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.101899*

that, RABV reaches the sensory or motor neurons and then propagates up to the central nervous system by following neuronal connections. Such pathways through nervous tissue shield the virus from the host immune system, resulting in absence of early antibody response [12]. Being delivered to the central nervous system, the virus disseminates rapidly, and nearly all regions of the central nervous system may be affected. Nevertheless, the duration of the asymptomatic incubation period can be long-standing (two months on average), while the symptomatic period with clinical signs is rapid and severe (about one week).

Although rabies has the highest case fatality rate (100%), fortunately, it is a preventable disease. Postexposure prophylaxis consisting of rabies immune globulin or/and rabies vaccine is very effective in preventing the disease development when administered promptly after virus exposure has occurred. Also, very important measures to reduce the risk of RABV transmission to humans are vaccination of domestic animals against rabies and stray animal control programs.
