Rabies continues to be a major public health problem in most Asian and African countries where estimated 55 000 people die of this dreaded disease every year mostly from bites from rabid dogs. On the other hand, public threat to rabies continues to persist in developing countries of America and Europe where bats are emerging as important reservoir host animals. Though rabies is fatal once the symptoms of the disease develop, it is 100% preventable if timely and appropriate postexposure treatment with modern vaccines and immunoglobulins is instituted. During the past two decades, considerable advances have taken place in the development of highly effective vaccines not only in their production but also in their administration by economical methods. Extensive research is underway for development of novel vaccines for rabies. Human monoclonal antibodies are likely to be used for passive immunization in the near future. Similarly, efforts are underway to develop more effective vaccines for immunization of dogs which are the main source of the virus in Asian countries.

We invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate continuing efforts to develop more economical vaccines and immunoglobulins for prevention of rabies in humans and animals, better understand the molecular epidemiology of the virus, and review the current knowledge on the cell biology and pathogenesis of rabies, social and ecological factors that continue to contribute to the existence of the disease, and methods to increase knowledge, attitude, and practices pertaining to the prevention of this fatal disease. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Global epidemiology of the disease
• Molecular epidemiology
• Cell biology and Pathogenesis
• New developments in human vaccines
• New developments in animal vaccines
• Ongoing efforts to treat human rabies cases
• Rabies control in wild life
• New developments in laboratory diagnosis
• Use of monoclonal antibodies for passive immunotherapy
• Ongoing global and regional control and elimination strategies
• History of rabies prevention

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