What Are The Chances Of Rabies Through Contact Of Garbage Messed By Raccoons?

Posted on Fri, 4 Jul 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 4 Jul 2014 Answered on

Fri, 25 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Had a cut on my hand and handled garbage that had been messed up by raccoons. Do I need to get rabies shots. Scared?

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, you need to take anti rabies vaccine.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM,

Raccoons are the known reservoir of rabies virus. If the raccoons saliva had come in contact of garbage you could be at risk of contracting the rabies virus through your cut wound on the hands while handling the garbage.

Once again it all depends upon the time interval between saliva of the raccoons coming in contact of garbage and you handling it.

As you are scared about getting rabies, there is no harm in taking anti rabies vaccine on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28.The vaccine is going to help you by inducing protective antibody titre against rabies.

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (40 minutes later)

This was about 12 weeks ago and am just scared. Would the vaccine still be effective ?

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Vaccine is effective

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is my pleasure to answer your query

The incubation period(time interval between entry of virus and development of disease) of rabies virus is very very variable ranging from few days to years.

The vaccine definitely helps in providing a protection against rabies. The vaccination against rabies will protect you in future also if you are at risk of exposure to rabies virus.

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj