Am I at risk of rabies transmission after petting a cat?

Question

Hello doctor,

Is it possible to get rabies from patting a stray cat and then eating without washing hands?

The cat's fur was not moist or wet nor was the cat being aggressive.

Please advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Rabies does not spread that way. There is absolutely no chance to get rabies that way. Generally, it is the bite from a rabid dog or a cat that causes rabies since rabies virus is present in saliva.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

If only the cat had a wound and it was licked at that particular site by an infected animal, then there is a slight chance of transmission of rabies to that cat.

Let us suppose the cat was infected and it licked on itself and then touched by a person, transmission is possible only if there was a cut or a wound in hand that touched the cat, and that too within a very short span of time say a few hours.

The rabies virus moves through nerves and ganglions and finally reaches the brain, which is only possible if there is a puncture in the skin. It cannot penetrate the skin by itself. The chances of getting rabies are very unlikely unless the virus comes in contact with the broken skin or mucosa.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.