Rabies information

This page provides geenral information about rabies risk and prevention. If you have experienced an animal bite or possible exposure, visit Report an animal bite and get rabies guidance.

Marin County Public Health, in collaboration with Marin Humane, prevents and controls the spread of rabies by:

• Assessing rabies risk in people and domestic animals after animal bites or potential exposures
• Coordinating rabies testing of animals
• Investigating human exposures and recommending post-exposure prophylaxis when needed to prevent disease
• Providing guidance to healthcare providers on rabies treatment
• Overseeing animal observation and quarantine
• Working with local partners to reduce rabies risk in the community
• Report human and animal rabies cases to the California Department of Public Health

• Anyone who has been bitten or scratched by an animal.
• People whose pet has had contact with dead or injured wildlife.
• Households where a bat has entered the home.
• Healthcare providers seeking consultation about rabies post-exposure treatment for their patients.

About rabies

Rabies is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus that affects the brain and nervous system. It spreads through saliva, usually from a bite or scratch. Once symptoms begin, rabies is almost always fatal. Early medical treatment after an exposure can prevent illness. Rabies is very rare in people in the United States. Learn more about rabies (CDPH).

Rabies in Marin County

In Marin County, rabies is most often found in bats. Other wildlife may carry rabies, but this is less common. Public Health tracks and responds to all reported rabies exposures.

How people and pets are exposed

You may be at risk if you:

• Are bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal
• Have direct contact with a bat (even without a visible bite)
• Find a bat in the house or wake up to find a bat in the home
• Have a pet that has contact with wildlife

If you have experienced an animal bite or possible exposure, visit Report an animal bite and get rabies guidance. Your health care provider may recommend rabies post-exposure treatment to prevent rabies. Important Information about Treatment for Rabies after Exposure.

If you or your pet has been in contact with dead/injured wildlife, or a bat has entered your home, contact Marin Humane at 415-883-4621 for assistance.

Prevention

• Do not feed wild animals. Learn about Coexisting with Wildlife.
• Avoid contact with wild animals, especially bats
• Do not handle sick, injured, or dead wild animals
• Keep pets up to date on rabies vaccination
• Supervise pets outdoors
• Screen windows and close doors to prevent bats from entering living spaces.

If you find a bat

• Do not touch it with bare hands.
• If in the home, close all doors and contain it in the room if possible. Do not release it.
• If outdoors, put a weighted box or container over it to capture it is possible.
• Contact Marin Humane at 415-883-4621 for guidance and possible testing.

Rabies and pets

Keeping current on rabies vaccines protects pets and reduces risk to people. Pets can be exposed to rabies through contact with wildlife.

If your pet has contact with a bat or other wildlife:

• Keep the animal away from people and other animals
• Contact Marin Humane at 415-883-4621 for guidance
• Contact your veterinarian

Rabies information for health care providers

• Review Rabies PEP Algorithm for Providers and Rabies PEP Guidance for Hospitals.
• Call Marin County Public Health for questions about rabies post-exposure prophyalxis (PEP).
  • Business hours Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.: 415-473-4163
  • After-hours (urgent): Health Officer on Call: 415-499-7238
• Report to Marin Humane using the Animal Bite Report form, all instances in which any mammal has bitten a human, even if the risk of rabies is low.
• For additional resources, visit Rabies Information of Health Care Providers (CDPH)