Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How Long Does Rabies Virus Survive In Outside Environment?
Question: If a rabid animal drinks out of a small container of water at night and leaves saliva in it, how long does the virus remain infectious to unfortunate gardeners with cuts in their hands?
Also I've heard that exposures don't always result in disease, even in the absence of treatment. What kind of batting average does rabies have in this regard, and how do we figure?
Also I've heard that exposures don't always result in disease, even in the absence of treatment. What kind of batting average does rabies have in this regard, and how do we figure?
Brief Answer:
can't excluded infectivity
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
rabies is not the easiest virus to study, so no answer is definite. We do know some things but not everything.
Regarding your first question: the virus is very sensitive to high temperatures, sunlight and dry surfaces. In such circumstances it can be considered safe to come into contact with it even after 1-2 hours. When there are viruses in a humid not hot environment they may survive for many hours, so coming into contact with it may result in infection. Please understand that this is an assumption, as there is no abundance of studies for this matter!
Regarding your second question: it's true that exposure does not always result in infection. The site of invasion of the virus and its proximity to the central nervous system seem to play a role in transmission. For example a bite on the face is more likely to cause rabies than a bite on a toe. Multiple bites are more likely to cause disease than single bites. Children are more susceptible to rabies. Unfortunately you can't calculate a risk ratio or something like that because there are no data...
I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!
can't excluded infectivity
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
rabies is not the easiest virus to study, so no answer is definite. We do know some things but not everything.
Regarding your first question: the virus is very sensitive to high temperatures, sunlight and dry surfaces. In such circumstances it can be considered safe to come into contact with it even after 1-2 hours. When there are viruses in a humid not hot environment they may survive for many hours, so coming into contact with it may result in infection. Please understand that this is an assumption, as there is no abundance of studies for this matter!
Regarding your second question: it's true that exposure does not always result in infection. The site of invasion of the virus and its proximity to the central nervous system seem to play a role in transmission. For example a bite on the face is more likely to cause rabies than a bite on a toe. Multiple bites are more likely to cause disease than single bites. Children are more susceptible to rabies. Unfortunately you can't calculate a risk ratio or something like that because there are no data...
I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
