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Can Running Over A Dead Animal With A Car Lead To Rabies?

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Posted on Fri, 21 Dec 2018
Question: I have some OCD, I know

Is it a silly fear that I could get rabies from runnung over a dead animal (roadkill) with my car, then somehow get it on my clothes when getting out of the car and bring it into my home.

1. I was heading down the free way and may have ran over something, hard to tell it was about 5 in the morning and there were cars all around me. When I git out my hat brushed against the the car door (top of it). Could i have gotten anything on my hat?

I mean the 1000's of people that drive over and by road kill everyday and no one has gotten rabies--AM I just being silly and there is no risk--or should I toss that stuff I traveled with away.
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Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:

No risk of rabies transmission

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Given your history, there is absolutely no risk for rabies transmission. Rabies is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal.

Petting the animal or touching its body fluids like urine, saliva etc. Will not transmit rabies.

Rabies virus does not survive outside the host for very long.
You do not have to worry about getting the infection. There is no risk. You can relax.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Lekshmi Rita Venugopal, General & Family Physician
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3808 Questions

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Can Running Over A Dead Animal With A Car Lead To Rabies?

Brief Answer: No risk of rabies transmission Detailed Answer: Hello, Given your history, there is absolutely no risk for rabies transmission. Rabies is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Petting the animal or touching its body fluids like urine, saliva etc. Will not transmit rabies. Rabies virus does not survive outside the host for very long. You do not have to worry about getting the infection. There is no risk. You can relax. Hope I have answered your query. Take care Regards, Dr Lekshmi Rita Venugopal, General & Family Physician