The disease can be found in most of the parts of the world, and is frequent in countries with a low level of hygiene.

The disease is spread in several African, Asian and Latin American countries. In some cases the virus was also carried into Europe. After the bacteria have invaded the body, the incubation time is quite short, 1-2 days.

People get infected by the bite of infected animals (dog, fox, cat, bat and rarely other animals). There is no cure, only the relief of the suffering is possible.

Approximately 22 million infections occur in the world annually, of which about 200.000 people die.