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Can Rabies Virus Survive In A Bowl For A Couple Of Hours?

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Posted on Thu, 6 May 2021
Question: hi,

My 22 months old daughter got vaccinated against rabies with four doses of rabipur before 8 months for a nonbite exposure.. before a month i got her a booster dose of rabipur because i was worried about a non bite exposure which was unlikely.. a week back.. my daughter was playing in the living room and i answered a door bell. Since she was busy playing.. i went it for picking up sumthing leaving the door open by mistake.. and wen i came back she was close to the door.. outside my home i keep a bowl for feeding a stray cat.. i did not see my daughter picking the bowl but im a paranoid mother with ocd and just scared what if she had picked the bowl n placed her hand in mouth.. what is the possibility of rabies here.. i am just concerned what if the previous booster dose of rabipur failed? If she gets a fever after the booster dose for a day dose it mean the vaccine worked. My pediatrician says booster doses are not recommended in children within a year.. how long can rabies virus be alive in the cats bowl..
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I see the chances are low...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Apologies for the late reply...

Non bite exposure technically refers to a state where an open wound is licked or is in contact with fluids / brain tissues from a rabid animal. In the current scenario, your description has no direct non bite exposure. You described an indirect contamination through the bowl where chances of infection are not as predominant as non-bite / bite exposure.

3 doses of vaccination in most cases provides immunity for about 2 years. And if there is an exposure, booster doses are advised. I am not sure about the reasons for not giving second booster dose. But it seems that your child is sufficiently protected with previous vaccination shots that makes infections chances unlikely. You may discuss about getting rabies antibodies checked if you are concerned.

Hope this answered your question. Let me know if I missed any of your questions.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (18 minutes later)
Can a rabies virus survive in a bowl for a couple of hours? And the earlier booster dose was not recommended by doc as she said the second exposure was also unlikely.. i being a paranoid mom got her vaccinated.. my pediatrician says for kids the booster dose is not recommended within a year as it has serious side effects and that too for an indirect exposure.. what is the name of the blood test which checks rabies antibodies.. n wer can it be done in chennai? Do u suspect atleast 5 percent of chances of her acquiring rabies
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Survival period depend on external environment...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

There are no robust studies conducted to conclusively decide survival of rabies virus in a bowl. However a few studies conducted reveal that rabies virus do no survive for more than 2 hours in standard environmental temperature (28 - 30 degrees). If temperature is much cooler it may survive for more hours.

As of now, I cannot clearly conclude her chances of infection since we are definite of exposure. Your thoughts of exposure is based on assumption. But we may conclude that her your daughter is well covered with previous 4 vaccines and the single booster shots. Therefore chances are low.

I am not very sure where in XXXXXXX rabies antibody titer test is performed. But you may check in any Apollo diagnostics. I see a few centres reporting to perform the test on the web.

Hope I have answered your questions. Let me know if you need clarifications.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (47 hours later)
Do you recommend booster doses again? She developed a fever after the last booster dose? Its mean exactly 4 weeks since the last booster.. can she get a booster again? Im concerned since she is just 22 months old.. wouldn't it have adverse affects..
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (19 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Not necessary...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

The protocol in previously vaccinated individuals is to give two booster doses 3 days apart after a known exposure. In your daughters cases, we do not know if it was indeed an exposure and yet she has already had a booster dose a month ago.

I have tried researching for studies to know the effects of single booster dose. And one study revealed that a single booster dose given after complete vaccination done 5 years ago was able to improve antibody titres after a week. So I think a single booster is sufficient and no need to repeat it again. Further more, two boosters as per protocols should be given 3 days apart and not after a month.

In a nutshell, though I did not find robust evidence and since the exposure is not known and not serious and the fact that she has received complete vaccination in the last 5 years, I would not give her booster doses again.

Hope I am clear. Let me know if you have any questions.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Prasad J

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3708 Questions

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Can Rabies Virus Survive In A Bowl For A Couple Of Hours?

Brief Answer: I see the chances are low... Detailed Answer: Hi, Apologies for the late reply... Non bite exposure technically refers to a state where an open wound is licked or is in contact with fluids / brain tissues from a rabid animal. In the current scenario, your description has no direct non bite exposure. You described an indirect contamination through the bowl where chances of infection are not as predominant as non-bite / bite exposure. 3 doses of vaccination in most cases provides immunity for about 2 years. And if there is an exposure, booster doses are advised. I am not sure about the reasons for not giving second booster dose. But it seems that your child is sufficiently protected with previous vaccination shots that makes infections chances unlikely. You may discuss about getting rabies antibodies checked if you are concerned. Hope this answered your question. Let me know if I missed any of your questions. Regards