Rabies virus becomes noninfectious when it dries out and when it is exposed to sunlight. Different environmental conditions affect the rate at which the virus becomes inactive, but in general, if the material containing the virus is dry, the virus can be considered noninfectious.
Can you get rabies from dry surfaces?
The rabies virus is fragile under most normal conditions. It is destroyed within a few minutes at temperatures greater than 122°F, and survives no more than a few hours at room temperature. The virus is no longer infectious once the material containing the virus is dry.
Can rabies live on inanimate objects?
The rabies virus can survive on inanimate objects for as long as it takes the saliva to completely dry. Sunlight will kill the virus, but freezing and moisture can preserve it. The virus is killed by most disinfectants. There has never been a documented case of rabies transmitted to humans from an inanimate object.
How long does rabies survive outside?
How Long Can the Rabies Virus Survive? The virus cannot live outside of the body for more than a couple of seconds, which is good news. Live virus, however, can be found in deceased animals for as long as 48 hours.
Can you get rabies from dried saliva?
The virus can also be spread if saliva or tissue from the brain or spinal cord gets into broken skin or the mouth, nose or eyes. These are called rabies exposures. Rabies is not spread by petting the fur of a rabid animal. It is not spread by blood, urine, feces, or by touching dried saliva of a rabid animal.
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