About exposure
Rabies in humans is preventable if treated quickly after exposure. This includes:
- Being bitten by a rabid mammal.
- Getting scratched by one.
- Contact with saliva or neural tissue from an infected animal.
- Washing a bite or scratch with soap and water is crucial.
The rabies virus can survive on objects until saliva dries. Sunlight kills it. Freezing and moisture keep it alive. Most disinfectants destroy it. No case of rabies from objects is known.
In the United States, bats can transmit rabies. The U.S. CDC advises testing every bat found indoors for rabies, especially if people were nearby, even while sleeping. This is because bat bites can go unnoticed.
Contact us
- For questions about domestic animals, contact your Department of Agriculture Regional Office.
- For questions about wildlife, contact your regional Game Commission office.
- For questions concerning people, contact the Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH.