If a dog passed by you and only its saliva touched your foot without any biting, scratching, or licking, the risk of contracting rabies is typically very low. Rabies is primarily transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite.
However, it's essential to consider the following factors:
Rabies prevalence in your area: If you are in a region where rabies is common among animals, the risk may be higher.
The dog's health status: If the dog seemed healthy and didn't show any signs of illness or rabies symptoms, the risk is reduced.
The dog's vaccination status: If the dog was properly vaccinated against rabies, the risk is significantly lower.
Even with a low risk, it's always a good idea to seek advice from a healthcare professional or a local health department. They can assess the situation more accurately based on the specific circumstances and provide you with the appropriate guidance. If necessary, they may recommend post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which includes a rabies vaccine series, to be on the safe side. Rabies is a serious and potentially fatal disease, so it's better to seek professional advice when in doubt.