Rabies Transmission to Humans

Rabies is a serious but preventable disease that passes from infected animals to humans. The disease infects the brain and central nervous system and leads to death unless promptly treated.

Transmission

• Rabies spreads from animals to humans through the saliva of infected animals. People often become infected through animal bites, but they are also at risk of contracting rabies if the saliva of an infected animal enters their mouths, noses or comes in contact with an existing wound, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Causes

• Most rabies cases in the United States involve wild animals such as skunks, foxes, raccoons and bats. Cats and dogs that are not vaccinated against rabies are also at risk of infection. According to the Mayo Clinic, stray dogs spread rabies to humans in many developing countries.

Prevention/Solution

• Seek medical care immediately if you are bitten by an animal. Supervise pets so that they do not interact with wild animals, and vaccinate pets against rabies. The CDC suggests calling animal control to have stray animals removed from the neighborhood. It also strongly warns against adopting wild animals or nursing sick or injured animals because they may be infected with rabies.