What is the definition or description of: rabies?

Rabies: Rabies is a vaccine preventable viral illness transmitted by the bite of an infected mammal. The majority of animals infected with rabies are bats, skunks, foxes and raccoons in the US. Dogs are the cause of 99% of all rabies transmission to humans. In unvaccinated humans, rabies is almost always fatal after neurological symptoms have developed. Vaccine w/in 6 days of exposure prevents rabies.