How often do rats get rabies? - briefly
Rats are extremely unlikely to contract rabies, with documented cases being exceedingly rare worldwide. Consequently, the incidence in this species is considered negligible.
How often do rats get rabies? - in detail
Rats are rarely diagnosed with rabies. Surveillance data from the United States show that less than 0.1 % of all rabies-positive animals are rodents, and among rodents, rats account for a small fraction of the few cases reported. In most countries with organized rabies monitoring, rodent species are not listed as significant reservoirs; the virus is maintained primarily in carnivores such as raccoons, foxes, skunks, and bats.
Key points:
- Wild populations – Occasional isolated cases have been documented in wild rats, typically linked to direct exposure to a rabid predator (e.g., a fox or raccoon) that bites or scratches the rodent.
- Laboratory and pet rats – No confirmed rabies infections have been reported in rats kept as pets or used in research facilities. Strict biosecurity measures and limited contact with wildlife reduce risk to near zero.
- Geographic variation – Regions with high rabies prevalence in wildlife (e.g., parts of the southeastern United States) show a marginally higher incidence of rodent cases, but the absolute number remains extremely low.
- Diagnostic testing – When a rat is suspected of exposure, the standard direct fluorescent antibody test is applied to brain tissue post‑mortem. Positive results are rare, and a single positive finding usually prompts an epidemiological investigation to identify the source animal.
Overall, the probability that a rat contracts rabies is negligible compared to mammals that are natural hosts. Public health guidelines therefore do not list rats as a species requiring routine rabies vaccination or post‑exposure prophylaxis, except in the unlikely event of a confirmed bite from a rabid animal.