Causes And Risk Factors Of Rabies

Licking An Open Cut

It's possible to get rabies if an infected animal were to lick an open cut on another animal or person, thus transferring some saliva into the open wound. Transmission is also possible if the virus comes into contact with the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth. Rabies can also be theoretically transmitted by eating infected wild game that has not been thoroughly cooked. Sufficiently high heat will kill the rabies virus. However, none of these modes of transmission is common, and rabies is still transmitted via the bite of an infected animal most of the time.

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Activities Involving Wild Animals

There is a rabies vaccination available for humans, though it's not recommended for the public. Individuals who work around wild animals should receive the rabies vaccination. So should anyone who plans to travel to certain countries in the developing world where the disease is common. Activities involving wild animals are typically safe when proper precautions are taken, though they do increase one's risk of getting rabies. Never get close enough so an animal could suddenly charge and inflict a bite. Don't be deceived by seemingly tame animal behavior either. It's possible the animal seems tame because it's used to humans and because they feed it. However, excessively friendly and tame behavior in a wild animal is also a possible symptom of rabies. There is, unfortunately, no way to know which it is for certain, so never try to hand-feed a wild animal. Keep a safe distance.

Learn more about risk factors for rabies.