Rabies and Bite Prevention

Key facts about rabies

Rabies is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus that infects the brain.
People and animals can get rabies from the bite of an infected animal.
People and animals with rabies almost always die once symptoms begin.
In California, bats and skunks are animals that most often have rabies.
Each year in California, rabies is found in about 200 mostly wild animals.
Rabies infects very few humans in the United States and California. Since 1980, rabies has been reported in 15 people in California.
Prevent rabies by avoiding bites from wild or unknown animals, like bats and skunks. Also, make sure to vaccinate your pets.
To prevent rabies in people, you must get medical help right away after an animal bite.

The rabies virus spreads through the saliva of infected animals. This usually happens when an infected animal bites a person or another animal. The virus can also enter the body through open cuts or wounds if saliva contacts them. It can enter through the eyes, nose, or mouth, but this is less common. Rarely, scratches can also transmit the virus.

All mammals can get the rabies virus, and that includes humans.

Common Rabies Carriers in California

In California, the animals that most often get rabies are:

Bats
Skunks

Other wild animals that can also carry rabies include:

Foxes
Raccoons

Pets and rabies

Pets can also get rabies, but this is not as common due to vaccinations. The following pets can be affected:

Dogs
Cats
Horses

Animals that cannot contract rabies

Birds
Reptiles
Amphibians
Fish

What are the common signs that an animal has rabies?

An animal with rabies shows strange behavior because the virus affects the brain.

Signs include:

A wild animal that appears tame or comes close to people without fear.
An animal that is usually nocturnal, like a skunk, fox, or bat, is out during the day.
A pet that struggles to walk, eat, or drink, or has a personality change.
A normally calm animal that becomes agitated or aggressive.
A bat that cannot fly or has been caught by a dog or a cat.
Raccoons that approach humans or foxes seen in yards during the day.

What are the symptoms of rabies in humans?

Rabies is a serious disease. If not treated before symptoms show, it usually leads to death. Once the first symptoms appear, it is too late for treatment. The person will most likely die.

When do symptoms appear?

Symptoms of rabies show up once the virus reaches the person’s brain. The first symptoms usually begin 4 to 8 weeks after exposure to the virus. These initial symptoms include:

Tingling or itching at the bite site.
Trouble walking
Trouble speaking
Trouble swallowing
Confusion
Distress
Loss of consciousness

What Happens After Symptoms Start?

Symptoms worsen over the following days. Most people with rabies will fall into a coma and die within 1 to 2 weeks after symptoms begin.

Preventing rabies is vital because there is no cure after symptoms appear.

Key steps to prevent rabies

Vaccinate pets against the rabies virus and keep their shots up to date.
Avoid bites from animals, especially wild or unknown ones.
Clean animal bite wounds right away with soap and water.
Talk to a healthcare provider right away if you are bitten by an animal. A doctor can help decide if you need a vaccine to prevent rabies.

Vaccination for dogs and cats

In California, dogs over 4 months old must be vaccinated for rabies.
No state law exists for cats. Some cities and counties require vaccination or a license.
Vets still advise vaccinating both indoor and outdoor cats.

Vaccination is key to prevention

Here's how it helps:

Stops the Spread: When pets are vaccinated, they can't pass rabies to others.
Protects Humans: A vaccinated pet means less risk for people. It keeps families safe.
Lowers Infection Rates: More vaccinated pets mean fewer rabies cases in the community.
Saves Lives: Vaccination can prevent severe illness and death from rabies.

Immunity to rabies can decrease with time. Booster vaccines are important to keep pets safe. If you have questions about rabies shots for your pets, ask your veterinarian.

To protect yourself and your pets from animal bites:

Leave wild animals alone. Don’t approach, touch, or feed animals you don’t know.
Never adopt or bring wild animals home. If you see a wild animal that needs care, contact a wildlife rehabilitation facility.
Remove food that attracts wild animals. Keep garbage in closed containers and don’t leave pet food outside at night.
Seal any holes or gaps in your home where bats or other animals could enter. Be careful with animals when you travel abroad. This is especially true for dogs in developing countries. Rabies is common in some areas.
Always ask first before you approach or pet another person's dog.
Keep pet cats indoors as much as possible. Indoor cats have a lesser chance of contact with wildlife that may carry rabies or other diseases.
When you take your pets off your property, always keep them on a leash and under control.

What should I do if a wild animal bites me?

If you are bitten by a wild animal, you should immediately wash and scrub the bite area with soap and running water. Then, seek medical care from a doctor or healthcare provider. Rabies is 100% preventable if you get help right away after an animal bite. A doctor will decide if the wound needs medical attention and if you need treatment to prevent rabies.

Possible Medical Treatment

If your doctor thinks you might have been exposed to rabies, they may recommend a series of rabies shots. These vaccines will prevent rabies symptoms.

Reporting the Bite

You should report the bite to your local animal control agency. Here’s what they can do for you:

Locate and test the wild animal for rabies if it has not been captured.
Remove the wild animal from your house if it's inside.
Do not try to capture the animal yourself.

What to do if a wild animal bites your pet

If a wild animal attacks your pet, follow these steps:

Do not intervene. Avoid getting between your pet and the wild animal if it is fighting.
Assess your pet's injuries.
1. If your pet is severely injured, take it to a veterinarian immediately.
2. If your pet seems okay, talk with a veterinarian about whether it needs medical care.
Report the bite. Contact your local animal control agency to report the incident. They can:
1. Attempt to capture the wild animal for rabies testing.
2. Determine the best options for your pet based on its vaccination history if the animal is not available for testing.