What kills the rabies virus?

The rabies virus is killed by sunlight, drying, soap, and the other agents mentioned. In animal experiments, early effective wound cleaning has been shown to prevent rabies infection. Immunisation is a medical urgency after wound cleaning, although not a medical emergency.

How long does rabies virus survive?

How long can the rabies virus survive in the environment? The rabies virus is fragile under most normal conditions. It is destroyed within a few minutes at temperatures greater than 122°F, and survives no more than a few hours at room temperature.

Can you get rabies from a lick?

RABIES TRANSMISSION FROM ANIMALS The rabies virus is mainly transmitted from the saliva of a rabid animal when it bites or scratches a person. Licks to wounds, grazes, broken skin, or to the lining of the mouth and nose, can also transmit the virus.

What happens to the rabies virus after it dries?

The rabies virus is a very fragile virus. As soon as the saliva dries, the virus is no longer infectious. The virus is easily killed by soaps, detergents, bleach, alcohol and ultraviolet light. What will happen to the animal after a person has been bitten or otherwise exposed?

What should you do if an animal is infected with rabies?

First, thoroughly wash the wound with soap and running water. Gather as much information about the animal as possible. Contact your physician as soon as possible and notify your local public health unit or the state health department as well as local law enforcement. How long is the rabies virus infectious after it is outside of the rabid animal?

What happens if you get bit by a wild animal without rabies?

If the animal is healthy at the end of the 10-day period, then no rabies exposure occurred and the person bitten will not need rabies vaccination. If the animal is not a domestic dog, cat or ferret, it should be captured, humanely destroyed and the brain sent for rabies testing.

What is rabies and how dangerous is it?

Rabies is one of the oldest diseases known to humans, and is a serious public threat in many countries in South-East Asia. There is still no treatment available once a patient develops the symptoms of rabies.