Now Reading: #FactsFirstRedefined | Do all animals have Rabies?
-
01
#FactsFirstRedefined | Do all animals have Rabies?
Rabies is among the most feared diseases linked to animals — especially dogs. However, let’s clarify a common misconception: not all animals carry rabies. Its presence depends not on the animal’s species, but on exposure to the virus.
Rabies is a virus, not an inborn trait
Just like COVID-19, rabies is caused by a virus — a microscopic organism that requires a host in order to survive and multiply.
Just as humans aren’t born with COVID, animals aren’t born with rabies either.
They acquire the virus only after contact with an infected animal. There are thousands — perhaps even millions — of viruses in the world, and rabies is merely one of them. Its existence in the environment does not mean every animal is infected. Learn more about rabies from the World Health Organization (WHO).
How Rabies is transmitted
Rabies is primarily spread through saliva. The two most common transmission routes are:
- Bites – when infected saliva directly enters a person’s bloodstream through broken skin.
- Scratches – particularly when the animal had previously licked its paws, leaving traces of saliva on its claws
Once inside the body, the virus travels along the nerves toward the brain — a process that may take several days or even weeks. Once symptoms manifest, the disease is almost universally fatal.
See transmission details via CDC – Rabies.
The two faces of Rabies: Furious and Dumb
There are two main clinical types of rabies in animals:
- Furious Rabies
This is the image that often comes to mind when people think of a rabies-infected animal — highly aggressive, hypersalivating (foaming at the mouth), disoriented, and prone to unprovoked attacks. It’s more common in stray or unvaccinated animals. - Dumb (or Paralytic) Rabies
Less familiar to the public but equally dangerous, this form causes the animal to appear lethargic, disoriented, and eventually paralyzed. These animals may seem strangely quiet or withdrawn — symptoms that are easy to overlook.
Read more via DOH: Rabies Prevention and Control.
No cure, but there is prevention
At present, no cure exists for rabies once symptoms have appeared, whether in humans or animals. The disease is almost always fatal.
However, it is also one of the most preventable viral infections known to science.
Through timely and complete vaccination of pets, especially dogs and cats, rabies can be effectively blocked at the source — ensuring they do not contract or transmit the virus to humans.
What to do If you get bitten or scratched?
If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, especially one you don’t know, here’s what you should do:
- Don’t panic, but don’t dismiss it either.
Not all bites are dangerous, but early action can save your life. - Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and clean water.
- Seek medical help immediately.
Head to an animal bite center or emergency clinic to begin post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) — a series of rabies vaccines. - If the animal can be caught safely, have it observed.
Observation helps determine whether the animal was infected and prevents further transmission. - Consider pre-exposure vaccination
Individuals who work closely with animals or are often exposed to unfamiliar pets should consider pre-exposure immunization as an added safeguard. Refer to the RITM Guidelines for more info.
Caution without cruelty
Let’s be clear: not all stray animals carry rabies. In fact, most do not. However, due to the uncertainty surrounding their medical history, it is always best to approach such encounters with caution — not fear or hostility.
Do not harm or mistreat stray dogs and cats. They are merely trying to survive, and cruelty toward them only perpetuates fear, not safety.
The goal is a balanced approach: one grounded in science, compassion, and proactive care.
More info at:
