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1. What is rabies?

Rabies is a disease that attacks the nervous system of many mammals, including humans. It is caused by the rabies virus. Once symptoms begin, rabies is nearly always fatal. In humans, it usually takes 3 to 8 weeks after exposure to the virus to begin having symptoms.

2. How is rabies spread?

Rabies is spread when an infected animal’s saliva or nervous system tissue comes in contact with a break in the skin, (such as a bite, scrape or other wound) or with a mucous membrane (like the inside of the nose, mouth or eyes). The most common way rabies is spread is by a bite from an infected animal. Rabies can also be spread by licks or scratches.

3. How can I protect my pet?

Rabies virus is shed in the saliva of an infected dog or cat for 5 days before it shows signs of rabies. If a dog or cat bites a human, the law requires it to be quarantined to watch for signs of rabies disease. If your pet has contact with an animal that might have rabies, do the following:

• Avoid touching damp or wet areas on your pet’s coat, face, or body.
• Put on rubber gloves and cover your arms, legs, and feet before touching your pet.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Avoid “flying fluid” if your pet shakes. It could get into your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Confine your pet in a safe place away from other animals and people.
• Keep pets away from children.
• Call Animal Control.
• If you have any contact with saliva or tissue from the nervous system, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
• If your pet is up-to-date on its rabies shots, get your pet a booster dose of rabies vaccine within 5 days (120 hours).
• Do not touch an animal that may have rabies. If it is dead, use a shovel or rake to move it. Cover it with a heavy object to keep other animals and people away.

4. What about bats and rabies?

You cannot tell if a bat has rabies just by looking at it. All contact with bats should be avoided. If a bat is in your home, do the following:

• Do not free the bat.
• Do not try to catch the bat.
• Close off the area where the bat is and keep people and pets out.
• Call Animal Control to catch the bat and have it tested for rabies. If the bat does not have rabies, you do not need to be concerned about rabies infection.

Remember, bat bites can’t always be seen by looking at the skin. They are often not painful and might not wake up a sleeping person.

5. Who needs treatment to prevent rabies disease?

The following people need treatment to prevent rabies diseases:

• Anyone who has been bitten or scratched by a rabid animal
• Anyone who gets saliva or nervous system tissue from a rabid animal in their nose, mouth, eyes or a break in the skin (like a cut, scrape or other wound).
• Anyone who has contact with a bat that cannot be found for testing.
• Anyone who has been asleep or unconscious in a room where a bat has been seen.
• Anyone who is unable to give a reliable account about contact with a bat (like a young child or someone who is mentally impaired) and has been in an area where a bat has been.