Deer rabies: what you should know

Rabies is an infection that can spread through saliva from an infected mammal, usually when saliva enters broken skin or the eyes, mouth, or nose. Deer may behave unusually, appear unsteady, become unusually tame, or show aggression, but appearance alone cannot confirm rabies. Touching intact fur is not considered the same type of exposure as a bite or saliva contact.

Move away from the animal and wash a bite, scratch, or contaminated wound thoroughly with soap and running water. Do not handle the deer or attempt to capture it. Contact urgent medical services promptly and describe the animal, the contact, the wound location, and when it happened. A clinician will assess whether rabies post-exposure prophylaxis is needed; treatment works by preventing the infection from taking hold and should not be delayed while waiting for symptoms.

Seek urgent care immediately after a bite, scratch that breaks skin, or saliva exposure to an open wound or mucous membrane. Seek advice even if the wound looks small or the animal ran away. Fever, unusual sensations near a wound, confusion, difficulty swallowing, or fear of water after a possible exposure are emergencies, but do not wait for these symptoms before seeking preventive care.

Ask whether your contact qualifies as an exposure, whether you need rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, how the wound should be monitored, and whether vaccination is appropriate for future animal contact.