Rabies in Cats: Implications, Diagnosis, and Future Directions

Rabies is a highly fatal viral disease affecting the central nervous system of mammals, including humans, with global public health significance. Although rabies is most commonly associated with domestic dogs, cats are increasingly recognized as important vectors for the transmission of the rabies virus, particularly in areas where vaccination coverage is inconsistent or limited. As a zoonotic disease, rabies poses a critical risk not only to animals but also to human populations, with domestic cats sometimes acting as intermediaries between wild rabies reservoirs and humans. Despite being less prominently associated with rabies outbreaks compared to dogs, the role of cats in the epidemiology of rabies is significant, especially given the close proximity between domestic cats and human households.