Clinical Pathways
Clinical Pathways
Small rodent, such as a squirrel, chipmunk, mouse, rat, or rabbit
Small rodent, such as a squirrel, chipmunk, mouse, rat, or rabbit

Small rodent, such as a squirrel, chipmunk, mouse, rat, or rabbit

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Action

Do not administer PEP (Class III)

Background

Small rodents, including squirrels, chipmunks, rats, and mice, as well as rabbits and hares, are rarely infected and are not known to transmit rabies to humans. Rabies virus is inactivated by desiccation and sunlight, and so is not viable outside the host. If the material of concern is dry, it is noninfectious. If the decision to administer PEP is unclear, state or local health departments can offer guidance.

Time- and Cost-Effective Strategies

The mean total cost of 1 suspected human rabies exposure is $3688. PEP has a cost benefit if the risk of acquiring rabies is estimated to be >0.7%, which includes bites from potentially rabid animals and any bat exposure. Identifying which exposures have nearly zero risk of rabies transmission and do not warrant PEP is important from a cost-savings standpoint. Important points regarding rabies epidemiology to keep in mind include:

  • Small rodents have never been reported to transmit rabies.
  • Except for bats, petting, handling, or saliva contact with intact skin does not transmit rabies.
  • Blood, urine, and feces from an infected animal do not transmit rabies.
  • The virus is not viable outside the host and is inactivated by sun, heat, and desiccation. If the material of concern is dry, it is noninfectious.

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References
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