Rabies Risk from Greater Bandicoot Rat Bites
No cases of rabies have been reported from greater bandicoot rat bites, and rodents including rats are almost never found to be infected with rabies and have not been known to cause rabies among humans in the United States. 1
Evidence-Based Risk Assessment
Rodents, specifically including rats and mice, represent an extremely low rabies risk:
Small rodents (rats, mice, squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, chipmunks) and lagomorphs (rabbits and hares) are almost never found to be infected with rabies 1
These animals have not been known to transmit rabies to humans in the United States 1
From 1990-1996, among the 371 rodent rabies cases reported to CDC in areas where raccoon rabies was endemic, woodchucks accounted for 93% of cases—rats were not significantly represented 1, 2
Even during 1971-1988, when 179 rodent rabies cases were reported, woodchucks alone accounted for 70% of cases 1
Clinical Management Recommendation
For greater bandicoot rat bites, rabies postexposure prophylaxis is NOT indicated. 1
However, you should:
Immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for 15 minutes 2
Apply a virucidal agent such as povidone-iodine solution after washing 2
Consult your state or local health department before initiating antirabies prophylaxis in all cases involving rodents 1
Critical Distinctions to Avoid Errors
Do not confuse rat bite management with high-risk species:
Bats are documented rabies reservoirs in all 49 continental states and require immediate prophylaxis consideration after any direct contact 1, 2
Wild terrestrial carnivores (raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes) are the animals most often infected with rabies and all bites must be considered possible exposures requiring immediate prophylaxis 1, 2
Unlike these high-risk species where prophylaxis should be initiated immediately, rodent bites follow a completely different algorithm 1
Geographic Considerations
This guidance applies globally, as the CDC notes that small rodents including rats are extremely low-risk species for rabies transmission even in areas with endemic wildlife rabies 2