What should you know about animals that can carry rabies?

Rabies affects mammals and can spread when saliva from an infected animal enters a bite, scratch, open wound, or the eyes, mouth, or nose. Dogs are a recognised source in many regions, while bats, foxes, jackals, and other wild mammals may also pose a risk depending on local patterns. Animal appearance alone cannot confirm whether an exposure is safe.

Move away from the animal without trying to catch it. Wash the contact area with soap and running water, then contact urgent medical care. Write down the species if known, where the contact occurred, whether the animal was owned or wild, and whether it can be located safely. Local health or animal-control teams can advise about observation or testing; never handle a sick, dead, or unusually aggressive animal yourself.

Seek urgent assessment after any mammal bite or scratch, or when saliva contacts broken skin or a mucous membrane. Treat bat contact as urgent if a bite or scratch cannot be confidently ruled out, including contact during sleep or with a young child. Immediate emergency help is appropriate for serious wounds, uncontrolled bleeding, breathing difficulty, or collapse.

Ask whether the animal and type of contact meet criteria for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, whether tetanus care is needed, and how to manage the wound. Explain the animal’s behaviour, the time of contact, the body site involved, and whether the animal can be safely identified.