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Does rabies virus survive in sunlight outside host?

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Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Can the rabies virus survive outside the host animal in sunlight?

Kindly answer me.

Answered by Dr. Tamas Das

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Tamas Das is a Family Physician and a General Practitioner specializing in Microbiology. He completed his MBBS at Srirama Chandra Bhanja Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, and his MD (Clinical Microbiology) at the Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research and Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial Hospital, Kolkata. He has 15 years of clinical experience and currently practicing in his clinic in Murshidabad, West Bengal.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The rabies virus is not very robust under external environmental conditions. Direct sunlight and a lack of humidity are very deleterious to its survival. It might survive for a couple of hours or so, but there is no definitive proof.

What is essential is the precautions that one should take if one contracts a virus. For example, washing your hands with soap and water is highly important. If the skin that is directly contacted is broken or cut, one may also consider vaccination.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Take care and regards.

Answered by Dr. Tamas Das
Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At October 7, 2018
Reviewed At June 25, 2026

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Tamas Das is a Family Physician and a General Practitioner specializing in Microbiology. He completed his MBBS at Srirama Chandra Bhanja Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, and his MD (Clinical Microbiology) at the Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research and Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial Hospital, Kolkata. He has 15 years of clinical experience and currently practicing in his clinic in Murshidabad, West Bengal.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Tamas Das is a Family Physician and a General Practitioner specializing in Microbiology. He completed his MBBS at Srirama Chandra Bhanja Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, and his MD (Clinical Microbiology) at the Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research and Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial Hospital, Kolkata. He has 15 years of clinical experience and currently practicing in his clinic in Murshidabad, West Bengal.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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