What should you know about how rabies is transmitted?

The usual route is a bite or scratch from an infected mammal, because saliva may contaminate damaged tissue. Saliva contacting the eyes, mouth, nose, or an open wound can also be an exposure. Direct contact with intact skin does not provide the same route into the body.

Rabies is not spread by ordinary touch, sharing food, or being near an animal. The animal's species, behaviour, health, location, and ability to be assessed help clinicians and public-health teams judge the event.

Move away from the animal safely and wash any wound immediately with soap and running water. Avoid handling an unfamiliar or wild animal. Note what happened, where it occurred, and whether saliva reached damaged skin or the face. Seek urgent medical assessment so prevention can begin when indicated.

For treatment details, see Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. Rabies Vaccination covers planned protection for people with continuing risk.

Seek care promptly after a mammal bite, scratch, or saliva exposure involving broken skin or the eyes, mouth, or nose. Do not wait for symptoms. Confusion, unusual agitation, trouble swallowing, drooling, weakness, or breathing difficulty after a possible exposure requires emergency help.

Ask whether the contact meets the definition of an exposure, what wound care is required, and whether vaccine or immunoglobulin is appropriate. Share the animal details, timing, wound location, and your previous vaccination history.