Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. It is primarily spread through bites and scratches from infected animals, most commonly dogs. This leads to the question – can you get rabies just from touching an infected animal, or does a bite or scratch need to actually break the skin?
How is rabies transmitted?
Rabies is caused by a virus called Lyssavirus. This virus is found in the saliva of infected mammals and can be transmitted through:
- Bites – Around 99% of rabies cases are caused by animal bites. When an infected animal bites another animal or person, the virus in its saliva enters the wound.
- Scratches – Scratches from an infected animal can also transmit rabies if the scratch penetrates the skin.
- Mucous membrane contact – If the saliva of an infected animal comes into contact with mucous membranes like the eyes, nose or mouth, transmission can occur.
- Aerosol transmission – In rare cases, rabies can be transmitted if aerosolized virus particles are inhaled. This may happen in closed spaces like caves with large infected bat colonies.
Simply touching or petting an infected animal is unlikely to cause rabies transmission. The virus must usually enter through a break in the skin or contact mucous membranes to cause infection.
Can you get rabies without being bitten or scratched?
While very rare, it is possible to get rabies without a recognized bite or scratch. Some potential ways rabies could be transmitted without a bite or scratch include:
- Undetected bites or scratches – Small scratches or bites on fingers or hands could go unnoticed and transmit rabies.
- Mucous membrane contact – Touching eyes, nose or mouth after contacting saliva or brain/nerve tissue of an infected animal.
- Aerosol transmission – As mentioned above, inhaling aerosolized virus in rare situations like caves.
- Organ transplants – Receiving tissue or organs from an infected donor.
- Unsanitized medical equipment – Reusing medical or dental equipment contaminated with virus.
However, these types of rabies transmission without a recognized bite or scratch are extremely rare. Over 99% of rabies cases are associated with a definite bite exposure.
What are the risks from touching an animal with rabies?
Simply touching or petting an animal with rabies generally does not constitute a risk for rabies transmission. However, it’s important to evaluate a few factors:
- Condition of animal – Stray or feral animals are more likely to be infected with rabies compared to pets or wildlife. Animals displaying unusual behavior or neurological symptoms should be avoided.
- Contact with saliva – Touching areas contaminated with saliva or nervous system tissue should be avoided.
- Open wounds – Cuts, scratches or other open wounds increase risk for transmission.
- Mucous membranes – Avoid animal saliva contact with eyes, nose or mouth.
As long as there is no bite, scratch or direct contact between animal saliva/tissues and your own mucous membranes, touching or handling an animal with rabies presents low risk. However, thorough washing of hands with soap and water is still recommended after touching such animals as a precaution.
What to do if you think you touched an animal with rabies
If you have reason to suspect you may have touched an animal infected with rabies, the CDC recommends the following:
- Wash exposed areas – Immediately wash any areas of skin that may have touched infected saliva or nervous system tissue thoroughly with soap and water.
- Contact a doctor – Consult with a doctor or local health department about your potential exposure, even if no bite or scratch occurred.
- Consider post-exposure treatment – If your exposure is deemed substantial, you may be advised to receive the post-exposure rabies vaccine series. This prevents the virus from infecting you.
Post-exposure treatment is highly effective in preventing rabies if administered promptly after a suspected contact.
Rabies Prevalence
While human rabies deaths are rare in the United States, rabies is more common among wild and domestic animals in certain regions. Areas with the highest risk include:
- South Central states
- Mid-Atlantic/New England states
- U.S. territories like Puerto Rico
The animals most frequently infected include:
- Bats
- Raccoons
- Skunks
- Foxes
Knowing the rabies risk in your region can help determine if post-exposure treatment is recommended after a potential contact.
Vaccinating pets
Vaccinating dogs, cats, ferrets, and selected livestock species is an important step in rabies prevention. Pets serve as a buffer between wildlife rabies reservoirs and humans.
National vaccination guidelines recommend:
- Puppy/kitten vaccination at 12-16 weeks, with a booster 1 year later.
- Rabies boosters for adult pets every 1-3 years based on vaccine type.
- Additional boosters following potential exposures.
Keeping pets up-to-date on rabies vaccination protects them from infection and helps control the disease in domestic animals and local wildlife.
Key Takeaways
Here are the key points to remember about the risks of rabies transmission by touch:
- Bites account for over 99% of rabies cases – rabies transmission almost always involves a bite exposure.
- It’s extremely rare but possible to get rabies from scratches or mucous membrane contact with infected saliva.
- Simply touching or petting an animal with rabies does not constitute a substantial risk unless there is also a bite, scratch or contact between saliva and your mucous membranes.
- If you suspect you touched an infected animal, wash exposed areas thoroughly and contact a doctor about potential post-exposure treatment.
- Keeping pets vaccinated is important to prevent rabies transmission between wildlife, pets, and people.
So in summary, while merely touching an animal with rabies does not pass on the virus in most cases, it’s important to be cautious by avoiding direct contact with saliva and nervous system tissue, washing hands after contact, and contacting a doctor with any exposure concerns. Prompt evaluation and treatment of suspect rabies contacts protects against development of this dangerous disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about rabies transmission risks from touching animals:
Can you get rabies from touching a dead animal?
Touching a dead animal does not transmit rabies. However, one should avoid contact with any fluids or nervous tissue from the dead animal, as those carry a small risk for transmission if they enter open wounds or mucous membranes.
What if you touch a rabid animal’s fur?
Simply touching an animal’s fur or hair does not pose a risk for rabies transmission. The virus is spread through infected saliva, so as long as you avoid contact with any saliva on the fur, touching fur or hair alone is not considered an exposure.
Can touching an animal’s blood give you rabies?
Contact with blood alone has never been shown to transmit rabies. The virus is primarily located in the saliva and nervous system tissue. However, touching open wounds without gloves should be avoided.
What if you pet a dog with rabies but don’t get bitten or scratched?
Petting or handling dogs with rabies but not receiving any bites, scratches, or saliva contact to your mucous membranes is very unlikely to cause rabies. However, it’s ideal to avoid touching dogs exhibiting unusual behavior until a veterinarian can examine them.
Do you need shots if you touch a squirrel with rabies?
If no bite, scratch or saliva/nerve tissue contact occurred, touching a rabid squirrel alone does not warrant post-exposure shots in most cases. However, it’s best to contact a doctor to evaluate if any substantial exposure occurred.
Conclusion
Rabies transmission almost always involves bite exposure. While not completely impossible through other routes, the risk of rabies from simply touching or petting an infected animal is extremely low. Practicing caution around wildlife, avoiding contact with saliva/nerve tissue, and washing skin after potential contact minimizes any risk further. Prompt medical evaluation can determine if post-exposure treatment is recommended for any substantiated exposures. Vaccinating pets and avoiding stray animals can also reduce rabies risks. In summary, rabies transmission purely by touch remains very rare, but caution should still be exercised around infected wildlife.