Can You Get Rabies From A Cat Scratch?

Rabies

has been in news in India over the last few months, especially as rising cases of dog bites put animals lovers and the Supreme Court in a tussle. Rabies is certainly one of the deadliest viral diseases in the world, almost always fatal once symptoms begin. While most of us know that rabies spreads through animal bites especially dogs, can you get them from other animals like cats? The short answer: it’s extremely rare, but under certain circumstances, it is possible.

How Does Rabies Spread?

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, rabies is caused by a virus that spreads through the saliva of infected animals, usually via bites that break the skin. It can also enter the body through open wounds or mucous membranes (like the eyes or mouth).Cats, especially strays, can be carriers if they are unvaccinated and exposed to the virus through other animals.

Can You Get Rabies From Cat Scratches?

A simple scratch from a cat claw that has no saliva on it almost never causes rabies. The virus does not live in a cat’s claws naturally. However, experts warn that the risk arises if a cat’s claws are contaminated with saliva. For example, if your cat had licked its paws before scratching. In such cases, if the scratch breaks the skin, there is a chance of transmission.

Although rare, medical journals have reported cases of rabies linked to cat scratches: In India, a 15-year-old girl developed paralytic rabies after a deep facial scratch from a cat. She had received anti-rabies vaccination but not the recommended rabies immunoglobulin, which may have contributed to the outcome. And in Indonesia, a 45-year-old man died of rabies encephalitis after a superficial hand scratch from a stray cat. Doctors later confirmed the cat was rabid. These cases are exceptions, but they highlight why scratches should not be ignored.

What To Do If You Get Scratched By A Cat

Health experts recommend the following steps if you are scratched by a cat, especially if it’s a stray or unvaccinated:

• Wash the wound immediately with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes.
• Apply an antiseptic to reduce infection risk.
• Observe the cat, if possible, for unusual behaviour like aggression, drooling, or paralysis.
• Go to a doctor, who may recommend post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which includes rabies vaccination and, in severe cases, rabies immunoglobulin.