What constitutes a possible rabies exposure?
A person is considered to have had a possible rabies exposure if: • they were bitten by a skunk, fox, coyote, raccoon or bat that either has tested positive for rabies or the animal is not available for rabies testing • they were bitten by a dog, cat or ferret that is unavailable for testing or a 10 day observation period • they had contact with a bat, or a bat is found in an enclosed setting with a person that may not be fully aware of it’s presence (i.e., an infant, a person that is sleeping or intoxicated). It is sometimes difficult to determine whether a possible rabies exposure occurred, so any injury from an animal, or exposure to a bat within the household, should be discussed with a medical provider.
