Exposure to rabies is occurring more frequently in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a Sept. 10 alert, citing a 17 percent increase in rabies-related inquiries and significant rises in vaccine and treatment use.
The agency received 17 percent more inquiries related to the disease in July and August than during the same period in 2025. Pharmacy data through Sept. 2 shows vaccine use rose 33 percent year over year, while use of two treatments rose 76 percent. The treatments are human rabies immune globulin and the vaccine series.
The CDC alert also noted several high-profile outbreaks and mass exposure events, and said at least eight health departments reported increased treatment use, errors in administering it, or both.
What to know about the disease
It is a viral disease spread through bites, scratches and fluids from infected animals, and is nearly 100 percent fatal if not treated before symptoms appear, which can take weeks. Symptoms when they do appear can include fever, anxiety and hallucinations.
Common sources include bats, foxes, raccoons and skunks. Recent cases included beavers in Maryland that tested positive and attacked people at a state park, and baby goats at a mobile petting zoo in North Carolina that also tested positive in August, prompting officials to warn people who attended events there over several weeks about possible exposure.
What to do after a possible exposure
Anyone bitten or scratched by a wild animal, or who has had contact with a bat, should contact a healthcare provider or local health department immediately. The CDC says not to wait for symptoms even if the wound seems minor. Treatment is highly effective when started promptly.
The CDC advises healthcare workers to begin by gently irrigating bite wounds with water or a diluted iodine solution and cleansing them. The CDC then advises practitioners to administer a dose of human rabies immune globulin and provide the vaccine in four doses across four separate medical visits.
The prevention context
Anyone can reduce risk by not approaching or handling wild animals, particularly bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks or any animal behaving strangely. A bat found in a room where a sleeping person was present is treated as a possible exposure even if no bite is visible. Domestic animals should be kept current on vaccinations.
If you or someone you know may have been exposed, contact your local health department or a healthcare provider immediately. The CDC’s cdc.gov/rabies page provides current guidance and resources.
