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A member asked:
How likely is it to contract rabies from cleaning up garbage, bare-handed, in the yard that a rabid raccoon may have had in its mouth?
3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Almost zero: As you were not bitten nor scratched by a rabid animal, the risk is almost zero. Also you did not get raccoon saliva into an open wound or on one of your mucous membranes. Simply handling garbage does not put you at great risk. Of course, garbage can harbor other germs so wear gloves next time.
Answered 3/27/2018
356 views
Not likely: Rabies is not transmitted from a raccoon through blood, urine, feces or petting it. It is transmitted by saliva - if an infected raccoon bites you or licks its claw and scratches you. There are some other VERY RARE modes of transmission. The rabies virus might live for up to 2 hrs in saliva but for only about 10 to 20 minin sunlight. It is easily inactivated by heat, detergent & disinfectant.
Answered 6/28/2020
65 views
Related Questions
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Animal got into my trash and I picked it up with bare hands and had a cut in my hand. If the animal had rabies am I at risk for it if it's spit was on the trash I touched?
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Does opening a garbage bin and putting hands in mouth after count as rabies exposure? Because, I did this three weeks ago now I feel sick non specific symptoms like sore throat comes and goes, dizziness, tired, or am I just being paranoid. Help?
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