What should you know about rabies prevention?

Rabies is spread when infected saliva enters the body, usually through a bite, scratch, or a fresh wound. Do not approach wild animals, stray dogs, cats, or animals behaving unusually. Teach children to keep away from animals they do not know, even if the animal appears friendly. Keep household pets under supervision and follow a veterinarian’s vaccination advice.

A possible exposure needs attention even when the wound looks small. Washing the area promptly with soap and running water helps remove contamination, but washing does not replace medical assessment. A clinician decides whether post-exposure treatment or vaccination is needed based on the animal, contact, wound, and local risk.

Move away from the animal without trying to catch it. Wash a bite, scratch, or saliva-contaminated area thoroughly with soap and water. Avoid sealing the wound with a tight covering before it has been assessed. Record what happened, when it happened, where it happened, and whether the animal can be safely identified by authorities. Contact urgent medical care promptly to discuss rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.

Seek urgent medical advice after any bite or scratch from a mammal that is stray, wild, unavailable for observation, or acting abnormally. Also seek care when saliva touches broken skin, the eyes, mouth, or another mucous membrane. Do not wait for symptoms: once rabies symptoms develop, the illness is extremely serious. Bring vaccination details for your pet if relevant, but do not delay care while searching for records.

Ask which exposures require post-exposure treatment, whether your wound needs other care, and whether a rabies vaccine is appropriate before future animal contact. Clarify what follow-up symptoms should prompt another visit.