There has never been a case of rabies reported in a whale. This doesn’t mean that they are not susceptible to catching it. In fact, all mammals are susceptible to rabies. However, it is very unlikely that a whale could naturally get rabies. It would have to be bitten by a bat, a skunk, a fox, a dog or a human (!) carrier. One case of rabies has already been documented in a ringed seal from the Arctic (Svalbard, Norway). The disease was likely transmitted to the seal by the bite of a rabid arctic fox or a domestic dog. This is a very rare occurrence.
From the link (might not be obvious how to find the question in the list, since it's using some really really annoying frameset) posted by chrisbucks at 2:31 AM on March 22, 2008
Rabies also makes animals hydrophobic, so it would probably mean a quick end to the whale before it could cause much damage. posted by Inspector.Gadget at 7:49 AM on March 22, 2008
Sounds like hydrophobia is a great element of respond's premise, if the whales are working their way into/onto boats to get out of the water posted by iknowizbirfmark at 8:06 AM on March 22, 2008
On the great premise for a movie tact: FOAMY THE RABID DOLPHIN was the fake horror movie Bobcat Goldthwait's character is working on in the John Cusack/Demi Moore vehicle, ONE CRAZY SUMMER. It's the second funniest joke in the film (beyond "dog from mars!"). posted by Gucky at 6:44 PM on March 22, 2008
Gucky, you beat me to Foamy the Rabid Dolphin reference.
I think the funniest joke in ONE CRAZY SUMMER was the elaborate setup for the Godzilla attack. posted by jrishel at 7:05 PM on March 22, 2008
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Can whales get rabies?
There has never been a case of rabies reported in a whale. This doesn’t mean that they are not susceptible to catching it. In fact, all mammals are susceptible to rabies. However, it is very unlikely that a whale could naturally get rabies. It would have to be bitten by a bat, a skunk, a fox, a dog or a human (!) carrier. One case of rabies has already been documented in a ringed seal from the Arctic (Svalbard, Norway). The disease was likely transmitted to the seal by the bite of a rabid arctic fox or a domestic dog. This is a very rare occurrence.
From the link (might not be obvious how to find the question in the list, since it's using some really really annoying frameset)
posted by chrisbucks at 2:31 AM on March 22, 2008