Can’t seem to find clear answers anywhere. I’m aware that the brain is what’s tested for rabies, so hopefully my questions aren’t too stupid.
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1. Is decapitation absolutely necessary?
2. If so, is it because it’s harder to get to an animal’s brain while the head is still attached to the body, or is it something else?
3. Is a rabies check standard protocol for all animal attacks, or do they skip it if the subject was visibly and explicitly rabid?
4. Pertaining to the last part of the previous question, if a human is infected, do they have to be decapitated for testing upon death as well?
In: Biology
Decapitation isn’t necessarily needed, but it’s a lot easier to transport a head than an entire body. As for standard procedure after an infected human dies, I don’t know. Usually people get a rabies shot of there’s any chance they were bit because it’s a death sentence if symptoms appear.
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