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Question To The Rabbiologist: In The Afternoon, Bats Flew Over

Posted on Sat, 6 Jun 2020

Question: Question to the rabbiologist:
In the afternoon, bats flew over us in the forest. Later they sat down on a meleve near me, high enough.
A drop fell on my neck. I don't know what it was, maybe bat saliva. I immediately doused this spot with a hydrogen peroxide and rubbed it with my hands. Later I learned that hydrogen peroxide does not kill rabies virus well (within 2 hours). Before coming home with these hands I drank, ate food and took out cigarettes (I was at home 2 hours after the drop fell). At home, I treated the whole body with soap and neck with iodine.
Do I need rabies vaccination in this case?

Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Vaccination is not required.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
As per WHO protocol for bat exposure, contact over the intact skin (in your case there is no skin break or oozing of blood) belongs to category-1 and no post exposure vaccination is required.
Simply washing with soap and water will be enough.
Hope I have answered your query.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Shinas Hussain (35 minutes later)

I am concerned about the possibility of infection through a mixture of saliva virus and hydrogen peroxide, which I could put in my mouth with food. Is there such an opportunity?

Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (46 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing like that.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Rabies virus does not survive long outside body. Moreover there is no oral transmission is there.
So nothing much to worry and you will not get infected.
Thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad