Rabies (cont.)
In this Article
3. Q: What is the risk of rabies from squirrels, mice, rats, and other rodents?
A: Small rodents (such as squirrels, rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs,
gerbils, and chipmunks, ) and lagomorphs (such as rabbits and hares) are almost
never found to be infected with rabies and have not been known to cause rabies
among humans in the United States. Bites by these animals are usually not
considered a risk of rabies unless the animal was sick or behaving in any
unusual manner and rabies is widespread in your area. However, from 1985 through
1994, woodchucks accounted for 86% of the 368 cases of rabies among rodents
reported to CDC. Woodchucks or groundhogs (Marmota monax) are the only
rodents that may be frequently submitted to state health department because of a
suspicion of rabies. In all cases involving rodents, the state or local health
department should be consulted before a decision is made to initiate
postexposure prophylaxis (PEP).
For more information about rabies in rodents and lagomorphs, see: Childs, J.
E., Colby, L., Krebs, J. W., Strine, T., Feller, M., Noah, D., Drenzek, C.,
Smith, J.S., & Rupprecht, C. E. (1997). Surveillance and spatiotemporal
associations of rabies in rodents and lagomorphs in the United States,
1985-1994. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 33(1), 20-27.
Bats and Rabies
1. Q: Do bats get rabies?
A: Yes. Bats are mammals and are susceptible to rabies, but most do
not have the disease. You cannot tell if a bat has rabies just by looking at it;
rabies can be confirmed only by having the animal tested in a laboratory. To
minimize the risk for rabies, it is best never to handle any bat.
2. Q: What should I do if I come in contact with a bat?
A: If you are bitten by a bat -- or if infectious material (such as
saliva) from a bat gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound -- wash the
affected area thoroughly and get medical attention immediately. Whenever
possible, the bat should be captured and sent to a laboratory for rabies
testing.
People usually know when they have been bitten by a bat. However, because
bats have small teeth which may leave marks that are not easily seen, there are
situations in which you should seek medical advice even in the absence of an
obvious bite wound. For example, if you awaken and find a bat in your room, see
a bat in the room of an unattended child, or see a bat near a mentally impaired
or intoxicated person, seek medical advice and have the bat tested.
People cannot get rabies just from seeing a bat in an attic, in a cave, or at
a distance. In addition, people cannot get rabies from having contact with bat
guano (feces), blood, or urine, or from touching a bat on its fur (even though
bats should never be handled!).
Next: What should I do if I find a bat in my home? »
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