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Does Bat Urine Cause Rabies?

Posted on Mon, 3 Nov 2014

Question: Hi doctor, I live in XXXXXXX XXXXXXX Today evening around 8 pm while I was walking home, something suddenly fell on my face. It was a liquid which fell from a tree directly on my eye and cheek. I thought it was water and wiped it off with my hand,but it smelled weird. Then I realised it must be bird or bat urine or something similar. I immediately went home and applied soap and washed my eyes and face vigorously and thoroughly. But my right eye, where it directly fell, has become sort of heavy and reddish ( not too red) . I wanted to ask ( with so many news of infections going on nowadays) do any viruses transmit from such contacts? Do I need to watch out for any symptoms etc? My brother scared me saying bat urine can cause rabies or any sort of virus... I dont know what fell, it smelled weird and was surely not water. Please let me know if there is any reason to worry. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
There is no cause for concern

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcaremagic
Greetings of the day
Dear Mr XXXXXXX

First and foremost let me reassure you that there is no cause for concern.

You have followed the right routine : Thorough washing of face and eyes .

Coming in contact with bat urine or faeces is not known to transmit Rabies . There are no Rabies virus in urine or faeces.

Mild redness is quite common in eye after such exposure. If the redness increases or there is increased watering from eyes then do consult Opthalmologist.

Rest be assured

Take care

Best regards
Dr Deepak Kaltari
Consultant Surgeon

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar