Rabid raccon

[misslove]

Just when I calmed down about all my rabies fears, my husband came home from work and told me there was a coon on his work site that was acting weird and wouldn't leave. So they ended up killing it. ( it was in a place that wasn't easy for animal control to get to and they didn't have time to wait) he didn't touch it but he was the one to push away the dead coon. He had on pants, sleeves, glasses and gloves. He didn't touch it but he was 3-5 feet from it. I'm freaking out he could have gotten it and brought it home. Like what if it was in the air? Or he walking in blood or saliva? I'm really freaking out to the point od wanting him to live in the garage for 3 months.

[.Poppy.]

Rabies isn't airborne. If the raccoon didn't bite your husband, he (and you) are fine.

[misslove]

But what if he got it on his clothes somehow? He left his work clothes outside and got in the shower but I'm just worried he somehow brought it home

[panic_down_under]

From the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/infection-contro...ol/rabies.html

Casual contact, such as touching a person with rabies or contact with non-infectious fluid or tissue (e.g., urine, blood, feces), is not associated with a risk for infection. Rabies virus is not transmitted through contaminated objects or materials such as clothes or bedding

[misslove]

I wish it didn't stress me out so much

[misslove]

Hes starting to worry about it too. He realizes he's a dummy. He never directly touched it but he was within a few feet. It was acting weird and probably rabid. I'm wondering if I should call animal control or something and ask them. But I'm totally freaking out. Worst case generic, if he did catch it, can I get it from him???

[.Poppy.]

Where is it now? You can always have it tested.

If he wasn’t bitten, he is likely okay. But he can talk to the health department - they would be able to advise if he needs to get the PEP.

No, you won’t get it. Rabies isn’t contagious until it enters the saliva, which is around the time it enters the brain. At that point, he would already be visibly ill and likely in the hospital and you wouldn’t be at risk anyway.

I don’t think he has it, but do call the health department and take their advice.

[misslove]

Update: he needed up talking to the health department. They said that he would have to get alot of saliva in his mouth in order for it to be a risk. They said he did the right thing and he's zero risk