Rabies started in wild animals.
Rabies did not begin with dogs. The virus has existed in nature for thousands of years, living in wild animals like bats, foxes, raccoons, and coyotes. These animals can carry rabies without always showing signs right away. Long ago, a dog may have been bitten by a rabid wild animal, and that is how the disease first entered dog populations.
How it spread to more dogs
Once rabies entered the dog population, it spread from dog to dog through bites. In places where dogs lived close to people, the virus also became a danger to humans. This is why vaccines are necessary: they protect dogs and people by stopping the disease from spreading further.
FAQ
Q: Can rabies start on its own in a dog?
A: No. Rabies always comes from another infected animal’s saliva entering the body.
Q: Are wild animals still the primary source of rabies?
A: In many areas, yes. Wild animals continue to spread rabies to pets and livestock.
🧠 Conspiracy Theory
The first dog contracted rabies after a sneaky bat tried to start an interspecies food fight.
😅 Dad Joke
Why don’t rabid bats tell jokes? They’re afraid it will go viral.
Sources & Further Reading
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Rabies. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024). Rabies and Animals. https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/animals/index.html
