Rabies virus, illustration. The Rabies virus belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family. It has a bullet-like shape and is enveloped with a protein coat, which is made up of capsomeres arranged helically and covered with glycoprotein spikes on the surface. These spikes are inserted into the viral envelope or lipid membrane. The genetic material of the virus is a single-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) found within the coat. It can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected animal. The onset of symptoms can occur after an incubation period of 10 days to 1 year and may include fever, breathing difficulties, muscle spasms, and hydrophobia.