False-colour transmission electron micrograph of rabies virions (red, elongated virus particles) budding away from host cell cytoplasm (green, right). The virus belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family. The bullet-shaped virions possess a protein capsid (with helical symmetry) containing genetic information in the form of single-stranded RNA. A lipoprotein envelope surrounds the capsid. The virus is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected dog or other animal. Symptoms appear after an incubation period ranging from 10 days to 1 year & include fever, muscle spasm, & hydrophobia. Death occurs within 4-5 days. Magnification: x19,000 at 35mm size.