Can Rabies Be Transmitted Through Water?

Question

My mom has a water lily growing in a container on the front porch. The pot was full of algae so I gave it a thorough scrubbing. I got a tiny cut on my hand while doing this. I recently found out wild animals are coming at night and drinking the water in the container. If a rabid animal drank that water could a person get rabies? I looked it up, it said only 50% of rabid animals develop the inability to drink water. Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

No you won't. The virus cannot survive outside of the body for long.

You will only be infected if you receive a direct scratch or bite from an infected animal. You are definitely safe. Just remember to keep your wound clean to prevent infection other bacteria.

Answer 2

This is an extremely unlikely way to contract rabies.  I think you are safe.

Answer 3

Rabies usually is transmitted through infected saliva as a result of a bite from an infected animal. Rarely, it is transmitted by viral contamination of a fresh wound, through a scratch, or through contamination of a mucous membrane (i.e., eyes, nose, mouth).

i don't really think you have much to worry about but if there is a shadow of a doubt in your mind or you feel different / ache or you just want to make sure see a doctor RIGHT AWAY!!!! you must get a shot and treatment before it's affects your whole body.

Answer 4

No. You can't. The virus isn't strong enough to survive long outside of bodily fluids.

Okay, I'm going to specify why since a lot of people seem to believe it's possible.

Viruses, cells, bacterias... they all have protein coatings. Some proteins are strong enough to allow a virus to be airborne and are ultimately the most contagious (SARS for instance); some are incredibly delicate (Rabies for instance) and can only be exposed to certain temperatures and most be kept in a short range of salinity, PH balance, etc.

Rabies has a very specific environment it likes and unless your container is kept at a nice warm temperature with a gentle salinity with no chances of metallic exposure, you're fine.

Actually, let me just point out the obvious:

People swim in lakes, rivers, and drink from streams and large open reservoirs.

Answer 5

It is transmitted through the saliva. They could have contaminated the water. Talk to a doctor SOON. It is unlikely, but not impossible.

Answer 6

While it would be theoretically possible, the chance of this happening is so remote as to be virtually zero.  I was unable to find any documented cases of rabies transmission by this vector.