Rabies: the green book, chapter 27
Rabies immunisation information for public health professionals, including updates.
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Rabies is an acute viral encephalomyelitis caused by members of the lyssavirus genus. The disease may be caused by rabies virus genotype 1 (classical rabies) or less commonly by rabies-related lyssaviruses. The presentations are clinically indistinguishable. Rabies-related lyssaviruses implicated in human disease include European bat lyssaviruses (EBLVs) and Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV).
This chapter has been updated in view of the changes to rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure treatment as agreed by the (JCVI) February 2018. These include:
- changes in definitions of exposures and animal and country risk
- clarification of the groups who should receive rabies pre-exposure immunisation
- post-exposure risk assessment including Composite Rabies Risk
- reduction in the number of vaccine doses for immunocompetent individuals to 4
- change to the recommendations on the use of human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG)
- guidance on the management of immunosuppressed individuals.
Last updated 10 July 2018 + show all updates
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Updated chapter in view of the changes to rabies pre and post-exposure treatment.
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Updated the Body text to include link to NHS Choices.
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First published.