Do All Raccoons Carry The Rabies Virus?

New Jersey is home to a thriving population of raccoons. However, in 2021, there were multiple reports of rabid raccoons and a possibility of a rabies epidemic.

Many view raccoons as cute little animals with big eyes. However, most of us know to respect wildlife as there are dangers, disease risks, and rabies. So, as we mention rabies, some people wonder, “do all raccoons carry the rabies virus, or is that a myth?”

For the answer to this and more, read our quick guide below.

Understanding Rabies

Before we can dive right into the topic of rabid raccoons, we should get some things out of the way. What is rabies, exactly? Rabies is a type of infectious illness.

Also known as Lyssavirus, it attacks the central nervous system in most mammals. This includes wild and domestic animals, but also humans. Racoon rabies is one of the most common and is thus famous.

The primary way rabies spreads is via saliva. For this to be most effective, the infected animal has to bite another creature. This spreads the infected saliva and ensures penetration via an open wound.

Rabies is a neurological illness. It attacks the nervous system of its victim, causing inflammation and a lack of control. It usually takes several weeks to incubate before the damage becomes noticeable and irreversible.

Eventually, the inflammation and nervous system attacks spread to the brain. At this point, the infected victim shows aggressive behavior associated with rabies.

Do All Raccoons Carry the Rabies Virus?

A common question asked by many is, are raccoons born with rabies? The answer to this question is a resounding no. Does this mean that all raccoons carry the rabies virus at some point?

Again, the answer is also no. Rabies is an infectious illness that can spread to raccoons, like humans. Raccoons are present in large numbers in our cities.

Along with various possums and rodents, raccoons are one of the most likely vectors for rabies. However, they are not guaranteed to be rabid. It’s still best to keep your distance from all rabid animals.

How to Tell if a Raccoon is Rabid

Although not every raccoon is rabid, it’s good practice to keep your distance. This protects you from bites and contracting rabies yourself. But how can you tell if a raccoon is rabid?

There are a few tell-tale signs, but it is important to stress something. Many behavioral tendencies of rabid raccoons and animals can also come from other conditions. If unsure, keep your distance and talk to your local animal or raccoon control service.

There are two typical patterns of behavior that rabid raccoons will show. In one, the animal is aggressive, angry, and hostile. It will snap at everyone and everything, even empty air, and might even self-harm.

During this aggressive state, it will drool excessively.

The other primary pattern is the confused or passive one. The animal will look too calm, ignoring humans and other potential threats. You might notice the raccoon acting shaky, like it’s drunk.

It might circle pointlessly or have severe trouble moving. If it looks like raccoon dementia, it might be a sign of rabies. It could also result from lead poisoning or some other neurological condition.

Raccoons are nocturnal creatures that are rarely active in the daytime. So do raccoons have rabies during the day if you see them?

Not always, but it could be a good indicator. Look for signs of strange behavior, and see if they are extra active. If you aren’t sure, ask animal control or wildlife services for help.

How Common is Raccoon Rabies?

We mentioned that not all raccoons are rabid. How do raccoons get rabies? Raccoons get rabies the same way humans do – infection via other rabies carriers.

A common way to get the rabies virus is from fellow raccoons who attack and bite healthy ones. Several other nocturnal creatures, like bats, are also carriers. Any number of rabid animals can attack a healthy raccoon and infect it.

Raccoons tend to travel together and be social animals. This increases levels of contact with other raccoons, which may have the rabies virus.

Although it is hard to estimate what percentage of wild raccoons have rabies, we know the percentage compared to all rabid animal cases. Around 35% of all animals with rabies turn out to be raccoons. This higher susceptibility accounts for the common misconception that all raccoons are rabid.

What Animals Can Carry Rabies

Aside from rabid raccoons, there are plenty of wild animals with rabies. The vast majority of common rabies carriers are nocturnal. Raccoons make up the highest number, but there are others.

These include bats, coyotes, skunks, and foxes. That said, any warm-blooded mammal can get and spread rabies.

Rabies vaccinations have helped reduce infection rates among pets by huge margins. Only 1/10 cases of animal rabies end up being domestic now. The risk is still there, so getting your animals the shot is highly recommended.

How People Get Rabies

The biggest misconception is that people get rabies from touching raccoons. As mentioned, it’s the bites and saliva that do it. You should still respect wildlife and stay away from them, but they aren’t radioactive.

Most people in the US get rabies from bats, and not raccoons. A significant proportion of these infections occur while asleep, thanks to bat bites. Of course, it’s worth pointing out that only about 0.5% of bats in North America are rabid.

Thus raccoons, despite being more likely to have rabies, don’t infect nearly as many people as you’d think. In the US, only three people have ever died from raccoon-specific rabies. Two of these infections came via or during an organ transplant.

That said, don’t take unnecessary risks, and always talk to a professional.

Respect Raccoons and Ask for Help

So do all raccoons carry the rabies virus? Of course not, but still keep your distance. The risk is always there, and wildlife can always be unpredictable.

That’s why it helps to have professionals you can trust. At NJ Pest Control, we are well-versed in wildlife control and management. If you have any questions or need a hand dealing with a wild animal, don’t hesitate to contact the expert wildlife animal removal company, NJ Pest Control, today.