Rabies is a disease that strikes fear into the heart of man. Rabies is a viral infection that effects the nervous system of mammals and humans. Any wild mammal can contract rabies. Here is Alabama the bat, fox, raccoon , and skunk are the key animals that we are concerned with as being vectors for the rabies virus.  Rabies is transmitted from animals to humans by either a bite or a scratch where the infected animals saliva can enter the wound. It should be noted that if the saliva from an infected animal gets into an open wound, eyes, nose or mouth of an individual that that person should seek medical treatment immediately.