Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. People get rabies from the bite of an animal with rabies.
Any wild mammals, including raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes or bats, can have rabies and transmit it to humans. It is also possible, but quite rare, for people to get rabies if infectious material from a rabid animal, such as saliva, gets directly into their eyes, nose, mouth or a wound.