If you are bitten or scratched by an animal that may have rabies, or seems sick and behaves strangely, it is crucial to begin preventative treatment for rabies as soon as possible.
This includes washing the wound well and seeking medical care. You may also call to speak with a registered nurse any time, every day of the year. Rabies is an infection caused by a virus. It affects the brain and spinal cord central nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is nearly always deadly if not treated before symptoms begin. Animals that are infected with rabies—rabid animals—can spread the disease through their saliva or through brain tissue.
It is rare for people in Canada or the United States to get rabies. It is more common in developing nations. People usually get rabies when a rabid animal bites them. People in Canada and the U. Bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes are the animals most likely to have rabies in Canada and the U. Sometimes the rabies virus can spread to pets, such as dogs, cats, and ferrets. But household pets rarely get rabies, because most of them get rabies vaccines. Pets that stay indoors are very unlikely to get rabies.
It's possible to get rabies even when you don't see an animal bite. For example, bat bites or scratches may be so small that you don't notice them. If you or your children come in direct contact with a bat, or if you find a bat in a closed room with a sleeping person, call your doctor right away.
Signs of rabies in animals may include drooling, foaming at the mouth, or paralysis. A pet with rabies also may behave differently than usual, such as acting shy when the pet usually is friendly.
A wild animal with rabies may have no fear of humans. Rabies in humans begins with symptoms such as fever, headache, difficulty swallowing, excessive drooling, muscle spasm or weakness, or strange behaviour.
Later, symptoms become more serious and can include restlessness, paralysis, hallucinations , and seizures. State and Local Rabies Consultation Contacts. Information For Specific Groups. Rabies: Facts, Not Fear. Find out how you can help stop rabies. Rabies Alerts. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. This content does not have an English version.
This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Rabies is a deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Rabies.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed Aug. Mayo Clinic; Elsevier Point of Care. Rabies vaccine information statements. Bennett JE, et al.
Rabies Rhabdoviruses. Elsevier; Public Health England has more information about bat contact and rabies risks. Page last reviewed: 09 January Next review due: 09 January Overview - Rabies Contents Overview Vaccination.
It's not found in the UK, except in a small number of wild bats. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but treatment before this is very effective. There's also a vaccine for people at risk of being infected.
Rabies vaccination You should consider getting vaccinated against rabies if you're travelling to an area of the world where rabies is common and: you plan to stay for a month or more, or there's unlikely to be quick access to appropriate medical care you plan to do activities that could put you at increased risk of exposure to animals with rabies, such as running or cycling Visit a GP or travel clinic if you think you may need the vaccine. If you think this applies to you, speak to your employer or occupational health provider.
Find out more about the rabies vaccination How to avoid being bitten or scratched All mammals including monkeys can carry rabies, but it's most common in: dogs bats raccoons foxes jackals cats mongooses Animals can spread the infection if they bite or scratch you or, or in rare cases, if they lick an open wound or their saliva gets into your mouth or eyes. Rabies is not spread through unbroken skin or between people.
While travelling in an area where rabies is a risk: avoid contact with animals — some infected animals may behave strangely, but sometimes there may be no obvious signs they're infected avoid touching any dead animals If you're travelling with a child, make sure they're aware of the dangers and that they should tell you if they have been bitten, scratched or licked by an animal.
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