Rabies virus is transmitted through saliva and brain/nervous system tissue. Only these specific bodily excretions and tissues transmit rabies virus. If contact with either of these has occurred, the type of exposure should be evaluated to determine if postexposure prophylaxis is necessary.
Contact such as petting or handling an animal, or contact with blood, urine or feces does not constitute an exposure. No postexposure prophylaxis is needed in these situations.
Rabies virus becomes noninfectious when it dries out and when it is exposed to sunlight. Different environmental conditions affect the rate at which the virus becomes inactive, but in general, if the material containing the virus is dry, the virus can be considered noninfectious.
Reading it now, I am not sure if this confirms or as I suspect rejects my thinking that exposure to bone marrow can transmit rabies. Looks like Saliva, Brain matter, and "Nervous System" (Spinal Cord?/NOT bone marrow?)
This matters to those who might be in a survival situation come across animal remains/possible food source. The potential for exposure to rabies can be present not only from the animal itself, but also in the saliva left on the remains by the initial predator or subsequent scavengers. Unless this person knows for sure conditions of this animal death(Meaning the health of the animal itself and that of subsequent animal contact) eating that meat and especially brain matter increases your exposure.
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