Diseases

 Rabies

Last Updated: December 02, 2024
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​​​​​​Rabies is a deadly virus that is transmitted to humans if bitten by an infected animal or if the saliva of an infected animal contacts broken skin, eyes or mouth. The virus affects the central nervous system leading to severe brain disease and death if medical care is not received before symptoms start. ​

While the military has not had a human case of rabies in over a decade, rabies continues to be a fatal human disease of concern in developing countries such as in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and areas of Central and South America. Dogs in these countries are usually not vaccinated so are a major source. Military personnel must avoid contact with dogs and animals when deployed to reduce their risk. 

The CDC indicates​External Link it is less common in the U.S. largely due to pet rabies vaccine requirements. In the U.S., more than 90% of reported cases of rabies in animals occur in wildlife. Contact with infected bats is the leading cause of human rabies deaths in the U.S., followed by raccoons, skunks and foxes. ​

Rabies can be effectively prevented after a bite occurs with medical treatment given as soon as possible after an exposure, before symptoms develop. Medical treatment may be post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PEP includes wound care, injection of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and a series of 4 or 5 rabies vaccinations (doses may be reduced if the individual was vaccinated before the exposure). PEP is available at medical treatment facilities in theater and in the U.S. 

Because you cannot always tell if an animal has rabies, and because the disease is fatal once symptoms develop – any bite or exposure to an unvaccinated animal should be reported to a medical provider immediately. 

It is important to have a medical evaluation for all animal exposures regardless of how the animal was behaving. Animals can be infected with rabies while still appearing healthy. Rabies can be prevented if treatment is obtained promptly following a rabies exposure. 

If you have concerns and questions about rabies or exposure to animals that carry rabies, contact your local preventive medicine and public health department. ​

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​Avoiding the Risk of Rabies​

​News Article: ​Army Experts: Rabies Risk is Not Worth ItExternal Link (2022)​

  • Do not keep mascots or pets when deployed! 
  • Do not approach, feed, or handle animals. 
  • If you are bitten or if an animal's saliva contacts your broken skin, eyes or mouth, immediately wash the area with soap and water and seek medical attention right away –​ rabies is preventable if exposed individuals receive prompt medical care after being exposed. 
  • Report animal exposures immediately. 
  • Capturing animals is best performed by qualified, vaccinated, pest control personnel. Failure to follow proper procedures can result in greater exposure to rabies and other diseases. 
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​Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. What is rabies? 

A. Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system. It is transmitted from infected mammals to humans and, if untreated, is almost always fatal. 


Q. How do people get rabies? 

A. People get rabies from a rabid animal. Exposure is nearly always through a bite, but rabies can also be transmitted if a rabid animal's saliva comes into contact with a person's broken skin, eyes or mouth. 


Q. Can all animals transmit rabies?

A. No, only mammals (warm-blooded animals with fur) carry rabies. Dogs, cats, bats, foxes, skunks, raccoons, and jackals are among the most likely mammals to transmit the virus. Small rodents, such as mice and rats, rarely transmit the disease. 

  • In developing countries, dogs are the main source of the rabies virus. 
  • In the U.S. and other developed nations where pets are vaccinated, bats and wild animals become the major concern.


Q. Can rabies be transmitted from a person?

A. Person-to-person transmission of rabies is extremely rare. Casual contact, such as touching a person with rabies or contact with non-infectious fluid or tissue (urine, blood, feces) does not constitute an exposure and does not require PEP.


Q. How can I tell if an animal has rabies?

A. Often you cannot. Despite the common belief that rabid animals are easily identified by foaming at the mouth and aggressive behavior, infected animals may not look sick or act strange. All bites or contact with saliva from animals should be evaluated by a medical provider in consultation with a veterinarian.


Q. What are the symptoms of rabies?

A. Early symptoms may include irritability, headache, fever and itching or pain at the exposure site. The disease eventually progresses to spasms of the throat and the muscles used for breathing, convulsions or seizures, confusion, paralysis and death. Once symptoms appear, rabies is nearly always fatal. 


Q. How soon after exposure do symptoms appear? 

A. The time between exposure and the onset of symptoms (the incubation period) varies but averages 2 to 12 weeks in humans. In rare cases, symptoms may not appear for over one year. 


Q. What is the treatment if I'm bitten by an animal or exposed to its saliva or other body fluids?  

A. To prevent rabies from an animal bite or exposure to its saliva, immediately wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and report to the nearest medical provider. ALL animal bites should be evaluated by a health care provider to assess risk of rabies exposure. A physician may order an the PEP to prevent the disease. This treatment is extremely effective and should be initiated as soon after the bite as possible.  


Military Guidance for Providers: 

Person-to-person transmission of rabies is extremely rare; however, medical personnel should use contact precautions to prevent exposure to the saliva of the infected person.

Administration of PEP cases as well as Rabies (human) cases are Reportable Medical Events (RME) that must be reported:

RME Case Identification and Reporting, Algorithm, Questionnaire, Tracking

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Disease Vaccination and Treatment