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How rabies spreads
Rabies is usually transmitted when saliva from an infected animal gets into the body. This most often happens through a bite, but it can also happen if infected saliva enters a scratch, an open wound, or the eyes, nose, or mouth.
The virus affects the nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. That is why any possible exposure should be taken seriously and assessed quickly.
Animals that can carry rabies
In the UK, rabies is not found in wild animals or pet animals. The main UK exception is the rare case of bat lyssaviruses, which are rabies-like viruses carried by some bats.
In countries where rabies is more common, dogs are the main source of infection. Other animals such as cats, bats, foxes, monkeys, and raccoons can also pass on the virus depending on the country.
How infection happens after a bite
When an infected animal bites, the virus can enter through the broken skin. It then travels along the nerves towards the brain, which is why the disease can take days, weeks, or sometimes months to cause symptoms.
A bite from an animal that looks healthy can still be risky if the animal is infected. Any bite abroad, especially in parts of Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe, should be treated as a possible rabies exposure.
Other ways rabies can be transmitted
Although bites are the most common route, scratches can also be dangerous if they are contaminated with saliva. This is especially true if the scratch is deep or if the animal licked the wound.
In very rare cases, rabies has been spread through organ transplants or contact with infected tissue. Casual contact such as touching, stroking, or being near an animal does not spread rabies.
What to do after a possible exposure
If you are bitten, scratched, or licked on broken skin by an animal abroad, wash the area thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes. This can help reduce the chance of infection.
Then seek urgent medical advice straight away. In the UK, doctors may recommend post-exposure treatment, which can prevent rabies if given before symptoms start.
Reducing your risk
Avoid contact with unfamiliar animals when travelling, even if they seem tame. Do not feed, pet, or handle stray dogs, cats, or bats.
If you are travelling to a country where rabies is present, ask a travel clinic whether vaccination is recommended. People working with animals or spending time in rural areas may be at higher risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rabies transmission is the spread of the rabies virus from an infected animal to another animal or to a person, usually through saliva entering the body.
Rabies transmission most commonly happens when an infected animal bites and saliva containing the virus enters the wound.
Yes, rabies transmission can occur through scratches if saliva from an infected animal contaminates broken skin.
Yes, rabies transmission can occur if an infected animal licks broken skin, open wounds, or mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Rabies transmission is not typically spread through blood alone; it is mainly spread through saliva and nervous tissue from an infected animal.
Rabies transmission through the air is extremely rare and not considered a normal route of spread in everyday situations.
Person-to-person rabies transmission is extraordinarily rare and not known to occur through casual contact; the main concern is exposure to infected animals.
Rabies transmission is most often associated with infected dogs, bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and other mammals, depending on the region.
Yes, bats are an important source of rabies transmission, and even a small bite or scratch from a bat can be risky.
Yes, rabies transmission can occur if infected saliva enters the eyes, nose, or mouth because these are mucous membranes.
After rabies transmission exposure, symptoms can take weeks to months to appear, depending on the location and severity of the exposure.
Yes, rabies transmission can occur before an animal shows obvious symptoms, which is why any bite or saliva exposure from a suspicious animal should be taken seriously.
Rabies transmission can often be prevented with prompt wound washing and immediate medical evaluation for post-exposure vaccination when recommended.
Yes, thorough washing of the wound with soap and water as soon as possible can help reduce the risk of rabies transmission.
Rabies transmission is not spread through casual touching of fur or skin unless saliva or nervous tissue from the infected animal contacts broken skin or mucous membranes.
Rabies transmission from properly vaccinated pets is very unlikely, but any bite should still be assessed by a healthcare professional.
Yes, rabies transmission can still be a risk from dead animals if fresh saliva or nervous tissue enters broken skin, a wound, or a mucous membrane.
Yes, rabies transmission risk is generally higher with deep bites because they can introduce more saliva into the tissue.
Rabies transmission through food or water is not a common route, but contamination with infected saliva could create a risk if it contacts a wound or mucous membrane.
Medical care should be sought immediately after any possible rabies transmission exposure, especially after bites, scratches, or saliva contact with broken skin or mucous membranes.
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