What is Rabies and how is it contracted?
Rabies is an infectious disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals. The virus is spread primarily through the saliva of an infected animal. Rabies is NOT spread through the blood, feces, or urine of an animal infected with the virus. Rabies is NOT an airborne disease. Though rabies is primarily spread from saliva entering an open wound or mucous membrane (i.e.: a during a bite) any possible or actual exposure to body fluids of a potentially infected animal should be still be reported to the health department. Any warm-blooded mammal can contract the virus though the primary carriers in North America are raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes and coyotes. Opossums are surprisingly resistant to the rabies virus! If you feel that there has been any type of exposure to an animal or an animal has bitten you please report it immediately to the health department and animal control. Rabies symptoms in animals are often displayed as excessive aggression or friendliness, drooling (mistake
Related Questions
- How does Anthem notify a potential Qualifying Beneficiary of their rights and obligations under COBRA for those plans that have contracted with Anthem to provide COBRA administration services?
- What is the cost for fingerprinting vendors/contracted personnel?
- Can rabies be contracted from mice found in home?
