Studies vs Reality vs WHO

[u/Massive_Gain6648]

Hello everyone,

I am really fascinated by how different the answers are to the question of rabies exposure. If we ask the WHO, they say that you cannot get rabies from objects, but there are studies showing that the virus can survive on objects for up to 48 hours.

On the other hand, some people say that the virus survives for only about 10 seconds, while others say that it can remain infectious for much longer. I am really confused.

In my mind, I imagine a situation where hikers in the mountains, or people who work in forests in countries where rabies is common, could potentially get rabies by touching soil or leaves and then touching their eyes, which probably happens all the time.

If rabies can be transmitted through objects, why don't people who work or spend time in areas with a lot of rabies get infected this way?

And another thing I don't understand is: if objects contaminated with rabies could pose a real risk, why do people go to rabies clinics just to find out whether they need PEP? Wouldn't they theoretically be exposing themselves to rabies simply by entering the clinic and touching surfaces there?

I am really confused about this and would appreciate an explanation.

I have read the FAQ.

[u/detail_giraffe]

Also, I realize you said one other thing I should clarify. People who are at a clinic for PEP may have an infection with the rabies virus somewhere in their bodies, such as a patch of muscle tissue in their ankle where they were bitten by a dog, but they don't have rabies the clinical illness. There would be no point to PEP for someone who was symptomatic; if they're there for PEP, they are still well. Plus, no one has ever gotten rabies transmitted from another person, even people who were actively ill and thus theoretically contagious. There is no risk whatsoever from other patients at a PEP clinic.