Rabies Vaccination After Greater Bandicoot Rat Bite
You do NOT need rabies vaccination after a bite from a greater bandicoot rat.
Rodents, including rats, are not reservoirs of rabies virus and have not been known to transmit rabies to humans. 1 Small rodents such as rats, mice, squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, and gerbils are rarely infected with rabies, and bites from these animals almost never require rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. 1, 2, 3
Why Rodent Bites Don't Require Rabies Prophylaxis
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) explicitly states that small rodents (including rats) and lagomorphs are rarely infected with rabies and have not been known to transmit rabies to humans. 1
In all cases involving rodents, the state or local health department should be consulted before initiating post-exposure prophylaxis, but the standard recommendation is that prophylaxis is not necessary. 1, 2
The FDA-approved rabies vaccine labeling confirms that bites from rats, mice, and other small rodents almost never require antirabies post-exposure prophylaxis. 2, 3
What You Should Do Instead
Immediate Wound Care (Critical)
Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes immediately—this is the single most effective measure to prevent infection. 4, 2, 5
After soap and water cleansing, irrigate gently with dilute povidone-iodine solution if available, taking care not to damage tissues. 4
Tetanus Prophylaxis
- Assess your tetanus immunization status and receive a booster if you haven't had one in the past 5-10 years (depending on wound characteristics). 4, 2
Antibiotic Prophylaxis
Consider antibiotic prophylaxis if the wound is deep, a puncture wound, involves the hand, or if presentation is delayed beyond 8-12 hours. 4
Rat bites carry risk of bacterial infections (including rat-bite fever from Streptobacillus moniliformis), so monitor for signs of infection such as increasing redness, swelling, warmth, or fever.
Important Caveats
The exception to the "no rabies prophylaxis for rodents" rule is woodchucks (groundhogs), which accounted for 93% of rabies cases among rodents in areas where raccoon rabies was endemic during 1990-1996. 1
If you are in a region with unusual rabies epidemiology or if local health authorities have specific concerns, consult your local or state health department. 1, 2
Do not confuse rodents with other small mammals—bats, for example, are a major rabies vector and any bat bite requires immediate rabies prophylaxis. 1, 2