Do Owls Carry Rabies?

|

Owls, like all other warm-blooded animals, can carry rabies, but it is highly unlikely for humans to contract rabies from owls.

  • Only mammals can be infected with rabies and potentially transmit the disease.

    Avian species, including owls, pose no risk of direct transmission of rabies.
  • There is a case of a great horned owl developing antibodies to rabies after being fed the carcass of an experimentally infected rabid skunk.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that birds, including owls, are not mammals and cannot get or transmit rabies.
  • While owls can be dangerous due to their predatory nature, if an owl bites a human, it is important to seek medical attention immediately, but the risk of contracting rabies from the owl is low.

While owls can carry rabies, the risk of contracting rabies from an owl is highly unlikely.

It is always important to exercise caution and seek medical attention if bitten by any animal.

Contents

What Are The Potential Risks Of Contracting Rabies From An Owl, And What Precautions Should Be Taken When Encountering One In The Wild?

When it comes to contracting rabies from an owl, the risk is very low.

Here are some key points to consider:

  1. Rabies Transmission: Rabies can only be transmitted through bites from a rabid animal or through scratches, abrasions, open wounds, or mucous membranes contaminated with saliva or brain tissue.
  2. Owls and Rabies: Owls do not carry rabies.

    The primary carriers of the rabies virus are mammals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats.
  3. Diseases and Precautions: While owls can carry bacterial diseases that could potentially spread to humans, it is very rare for a human to contract a disease from owls.

    However, it is always important to take precautions when encountering any wild animal.

    Here are some general guidelines:
  • Leave them alone: It is best to observe owls from a distance and avoid approaching or provoking them.
  • Do not handle them: Avoid touching or handling owls, especially if they are not your own pets.
  • Avoid provoking them: Owls can become aggressive if they feel threatened or provoked, so it is important to respect their space and behavior.
  • Report unusual behavior: If you encounter an owl that is acting strangely or exhibiting aggressive behavior, it is recommended to report it to your local animal control or wildlife authorities.

Are There Any Documented Cases Of Humans Contracting Rabies From Owls, And If So, What Were The Circumstances Surrounding These Incidents?

There are no documented cases of humans contracting rabies from owls.

Rabies is a disease that naturally affects only mammals, and owls are not mammals.

Only mammals, such as bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes, can carry and transmit rabies.

Birds, including owls, do not carry or transmit rabies.

It is important to note that while owls do not carry rabies, they can carry other diseases that are bacterial and could potentially spread to humans, although this is very rare.
In the United States, about 93 out of every 100 reported cases of rabies are in wild animals, with raccoons being the most common carrier of rabies.

It is much more common for rabies to be found in wild animals than in pets like cats and dogs, as most people ensure their pets are vaccinated against rabies.

Rabies can only be transmitted to humans through a bite from a rabid animal or through scratches, abrasions, open wounds, or mucous membranes contaminated with saliva or brain tissue.

In Regions Where Rabies Is Prevalent Among Certain Wildlife Species, Such As Raccoons Or Bats, Do Owls In Those Areas Have A Higher Likelihood Of Carrying Rabies Compared To Owls In Regions With Low Rabies Prevalence?

It is unclear whether owls in regions with high rabies prevalence among certain wildlife species have a higher likelihood of carrying rabies compared to owls in regions with low rabies prevalence.

However, there’s some information on rabies prevalence among different wildlife species in the United States and other regions:

  • In the United States, wild animals accounted for 92.7% of reported cases of rabies in 2018, with bats being the most frequently reported rabid wildlife species, followed by raccoons, skunks, and foxes.
  • Rabies is endemic in ten Caribbean localities, with the dog, mongoose, and vampire bat identified as enzootic reservoirs.
  • Rabies is estimated to cause 59,000 human deaths annually in over 150 countries, with 95% of cases occurring in Africa and Asia.

    Most cases in humans and domestic animals occur in impoverished regions, especially in Africa and Asia, where the urban rabies cycle still exists.
  • In British Columbia, Canada, about 0.5% of bats carry rabies, but on average, 8% of bats sent for rabies testing are positive.

Helpful Resources