RABIES
(Lyssa virus)

Clinical Criteria
Any person with an acute encephalomyelitis
AND
At least two of the following seven:
– Sensory changes referred to the site of a preceding animal bite
– Paresis or paralysis
– Spasms of swallowing muscles
– Hydrophobia
– Delirium
– Convulsions
– Anxiety

Laboratory Criteria
At least one of the following four:
– Isolation of Lyssa virus from a clinical specimen
– Detection of Lyssa virus nucleic acid in a clinical specimen (e.g. saliva or brain tissue)
– Detection of viral antigens by a DFA in a clinical specimen
– Lyssa virus specific antibody response by virus neutralization assay in serum or CSF
Laboratory results need to be interpreted according to the vaccination or immunization status

Epidemiological Criteria
At least one of the following three epidemiological links:
– Animal to human transmission (animal with suspected or confirmed infection)
– Exposure to a common source (same animal)
– Human to human transmission (e.g. transplantation of organs)

Case Classification
A. Possible case
Any person meeting the clinical criteria
B. Probable case
Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link
C. Confirmed case
Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria