False colour transmission electron micrograph of the bulletshaped rabies virus a member of the Rhabdoviridae family The virus has a protein coat or capsid yellow which is made up of helically arranged subunits called capsomeres Within the coat is the genetic material which in this virus is singlestranded RNA The diffuse red surrounding the coat is the viral envelope consisting of lipoprotein material The rabies virus is transmitted to man from an infected dog bite Symptoms appear after an incubation period of days to year include fever breathing difficulties muscle spasms hydrophobia Magnification x at mm size
