Rabies Program
It is the mission of the Rabies Program to prevent and control the transmission of rabies to residents and visitors of Delaware.
- Office Location
- Contact the Rabies Program
- Animal Bite Report Animall Bite Report - Text-Only
- Human Exposure to Rabies Report Human Exposure Report - Text-Only
What is Rabies?
- Rabies disease is caused by a virus infecting the nerve tissue, spinal cord, and brain of a mammal. It causes inflammation of the tissues around the brain and nerves, and the disease is always fatal to its host.
How is Rabies Spread?
- The virus that causes rabies is found in the saliva of infected Delaware wildlife. Rabies virus may be transmitted by the bite or scratch of an infected animal, passing this virus through the skin to a new host victim. Rabies virus may also be transmitted if infected saliva touches the lining of the nose, mouth, or eyes. The most common carrier of rabies in Delaware is the raccoon.Only mammals get rabies; birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians do not. Skunks, bats, foxes, raccoons, dogs, cats, and some farm animals are most likely to get rabies. Rabbits, squirrels, rats and mice, and pets like gerbils and hamsters seldom get it.
What can I do if I have been exposed?
- Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and lots of water. Washing thoroughly will greatly lessen the chance of infection. Give first aid as you would for any wound.
- After a bite or scratch from a known or suspect animal occurs, rabies disease is prevented in a human victim by the administration of rabies vaccine and rabies immune globulin, as soon as possible after the incident.
- Call the Division of Public Health Rabies Prevention and Control Hotline.
- Contact your doctor or local emergency room as soon as possible.
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