Possible Rabies exposure?

[Yme2020]

Noticed what looked like a dry, shriveled up leaf a few nights ago. Then, yesterday during the daytime saw that it was a dead BAT! You could make out its little fang like teeth. So, we sometimes walk outside without shoes or wear opened toed slippers. My concern is what are chances of rabies transmission if we accidentally stepped on it? Animal control picked up this morning and said it was too decomposed to test for rabies. Is it worth thinking about PEP?

[mkh9]

You would only have exposure if you had a scratch or wound that was open on your foot. So, if there any sore or anything and you stepped on it then I would see a doctor about it. Also any contact with saliva into a would. So blood or saliva into a wound or cut, scratch etc.
mkh9

[Yme2020]

Thank you for the response. I had a superficial irritation on top of my 3rd/4th toes while playing basketball but skin appeared intact, without any cuts or breaks. I spoke to local animal control and county officials with extensive experience and a local Infectious Disease and ER Doctor who all assured me that no PEP was needed with the type of "interaction" I had. They said that the virus is no viable when the animal is dried out/decomposed beyond testing. Is this true? Can virus still live in brain? I am very anxious still. I know vaccines are not without risk and side effects.

[mkh9]

The virus does live in the brain. But if you didn't have an open would you are okay. If not break in the skin.
Not sure about decomposed animal and how that effects the situation. They know more than me about that. The CDC has a help line 800-232-4636
I don't know if they would pick up the phone or just have a recording. They do email you back but it takes about 5 days. That would be too long. So, I would say if you are sure you had no break in the skin you are fine or if you didn't really step on the animal. If you have further questions see your primary care physician.
mkh9

[Yme2020]

CDC was pretty useless. They just directed me back to local zoonosis control. Again, saw ID doc, PCP, talked to local zoonosis control and neurologists. Nobody thinks I need PEP but cannot get over the anxiety this has caused me. I may just get vaccine for my anxiety. Any problems long term with vaccine?

[mkh9]

Well it is up to you to get the  vaccine. But if you had no open cut or sore you are okay. But if you are unsure you can do it. Normally you are supposed to do it right away. They usually do the first injection into the bite or sore. So if you don't have one I guess they may just give you shots. I'm not aware of the side effects of this vaccine. I don't think there have been any long term side effects mentioned but short term are headache, soreness or swelling at the site of injection, dizziness, muscle pain, stomach pain or nausea.

mkh9

[Yme2020]

Thanks for response. I did not have any open cut or sores. I might have had a small micro abrasion---couldn't see where skin was broken but burned afterwards. I did wash the area vigorously with soap/water and alcohol afterwards. Animal control said that the bat was basically hair and bones when they picked it up 12 hours after my potential interaction.