Diseases caused by viruses of the genus Lyssavirus affect the nervous system of mammals. It is transmitted mostly by bites from infected individuals via saliva. Untreated the disease is fatal.
Since 2004, according to the OIE, the territory of the Czech Republic is officially free of rabies thanks to oral vaccination of wild animals (fox, raccoon dog) and compulsory vaccination of dogs. Nevertheless, the SVS CR continues to organize preventive monitoring of reservoir animals for rabies throughout the territory of our country. In indicated cases, other animals suspected of being infected with rabies are also examined.
Due to traveling with animals vaccinated against rabies to "third countries" or importation of vaccinated animals originating from "third countries", our laboratory is the only one in the Czech Republic that carries out antibody titer testing after vaccination. The determination of antirabies antibodies is also performed to verify the effectiveness of vaccination, also in humans.
