ZOONOSIS AND ONE HEALTH: PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF RABIES ON HUMAN POPULATIONS

Abstract

Human rabies is a highly lethal viral zoonosis transmitted mainly through the saliva of infected animals, representing a major public health concern. In addition to the severe physical damage caused by progressive neurological impairment, the disease can result in significant psychological and social impacts on exposed individuals, patients, and their families. In this context, the present study aimed to analyze the physical and psychological impacts of rabies in human populations, highlighting its epidemiological relevance and the importance of the One Health approach for its prevention and control. This narrative review, with a qualitative and descriptive design, was conducted through searches in PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, LILACS, and the Virtual Health Library databases, as well as technical documents from the World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization, and the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Publications from 2016 to 2026 addressing rabies epidemiology, prevention, physical and psychological impacts, and the One Health approach were included. The results showed that rabies remains a highly relevant zoonosis, with an increasing role of hematophagous bats in disease transmission in Brazil. While the physical impacts of rabies are widely described in the literature, psychological effects such as fear, anxiety, and emotional distress remain understudied. It is concluded that the One Health approach is essential to strengthen integrated actions in surveillance, prevention, health education, and assistance to exposed populations.