Rabies is a viral infection of wild and domestic mammals, transmitted to humans by the saliva of infected animals through bites, scratches or licks on broken skin or mucous membranes. In endemic areas (Africa and Asia), 99% of cases are due to dog bites and 40% of cases are children under 15 years of age. Before symptoms develop, rabies can effectively be prevented by post-exposure prophylaxis. Once symptoms develop, rabies is fatal. There is no curative treatment; care is palliative.