[Rabies]. / Vesikauhu.

Rabies is a mammalian zoonosis caused by a virus belonging to the family of rhabdoviruses. In Finland, the risk of rabies is associated with imported animals and traveling. We describe the second case of human rabies diagnosed in Finland. Strong hydrophobia was present in the initial phase of the disease. The patient had encephalomyelitis, and he died 11 days after the onset of symptoms. Diagnosis was confirmed by RT-PCR using Saliva. Rabies infection leads invariably to death, but can. be prevented after the exposure with vaccine and immunoglobulin therapy.