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Rachel V Thomas

US CDC Warns Of Rising Human Rabies Exposure Risk: How To Stay Safe

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (<span>CDC</span>) has issued a new health alert warning of an increase in <span>human <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/rabies">rabies</a></span> exposures involving known <span>rabies</span> vectors and animals in which rabies is less commonly reported. 

From July through August 2026, the CDC received 17% more rabies-related inquiries than during the same period in 2025, including reports of mass exposure events.

The warning comes less than two weeks after three baby goats at a <span>North Carolina mobile petting zoo</span> tested positive for rabies, potentially exposing hundreds of people. The state health department said rabies shots had been recommended for more than 260 people. 

The CDC pointed to “several high-profile rabies outbreaks and mass rabies exposure events,” highlighting the importance of careful rabies risk assessments and following evidence-based recommendations for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

<h2>Why Is Rabies Risk Higher In Summer? </h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/us-petting-zoo-visitors-warned-after-4-goats-test-positive-for-rabies-why-rabies-is-almost-fatal-without-treatment-article-156016071" data-type="tilCustomLink">US Petting Zoo Visitors Warned After 4 Goats Test Positive For Rabies: Can You Get Rabies Without A Bite?</a> 

Rabies exposures typically peak in summer, when people spend more time outdoors and may have more encounters with wildlife. 

Recent cases have included rabid raccoons, dogs, cats, skunks and bats in several US locations. Bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes are among the animals most frequently implicated in rabies exposures in the US.

Between July and August, CDC also received reports from at least eight state health departments of increased rabies PEP use, PEP administration errors, or both 

According to weekly pharmacy data as of September 2, the utilization for the two rabies vaccines and the two rabies immunoglobulins licensed in the US has increased by an estimated 33% and 76%, respectively, compared with the same time period last year.

<h2>Why Is Immediate Treatment Important? </h2>

<strong>READ: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/bhutan-eliminates-rabies-while-india-battles-persistent-deaths-what-can-india-learn-from-its-neighbour-article-156103324" data-type="tilCustomLink">Bhutan Eliminates Rabies While India Battles Persistent Deaths: What Can India Learn From Its Neighbour?</a>

According to the CDC, rabies is a zoonotic viral disease that is nearly 100% fatal, but it is preventable when PEP is given appropriately before patient symptoms start.

Anyone who believes they may have been exposed should seek medical care immediately. PEP typically includes washing the wound, rabies vaccination and human rabies immune globulin, an antibody treatment that helps prevent the virus from reaching the central nervous system. 

The CDC says PEP is nearly 100% effective when administered quickly after exposure. However, once symptoms appear, rabies is almost invariably fatal. The World Health Organization warns that death is inevitable once a patient begins experiencing symptoms.

PEP can also be expensive, with costs ranging from $11,000 to $14,000, according to the CDC.

Although there is currently no shortage of human <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/can-india-prevent-rabies-deaths-by-vaccinating-dogs-lancet-says-kerala-may-reach-near-zero-deaths-in-3-years-article-156130318" data-type="tilCustomLink">rabies </a> vaccine or human rabies immunoglobulin in the country, the CDC advised clinicians to administer PEP appropriately because errors in rabies risk assessment and PEP administration could result in unnecessary treatment (e.g., additional doses of vaccine or HRIG), potential adverse effects, and avoidable costs.

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/bat-encounter-while-sleeping-why-you-shouldnt-ignore-the-risk-of-rabies-article-156020124" data-type="tilCustomLink">Bat Encounter While Sleeping: Why You Shouldn’t Ignore The Risk Of Rabies</a>

Symptoms can take weeks or months to appear and may initially include fever, headache, weakness and discomfort. A person who has been bitten may also experience prickling or itching at the wound site.

As the disease progresses, severe neurological symptoms can develop, including anxiety, confusion, agitation and hallucinations. Severe disease typically develops around two weeks after the initial symptoms, according to the CDC. 

The CDC advises people to avoid contact with wildlife, particularly animals that appear sick, injured or dead. 

“If you have pets, keep them up to date on rabies vaccines and away from wildlife when possible,” the CDC said.

If you or your pet comes into contact with wildlife, particularly after a bite or scratch, wash the wound immediately with soap and water and speak with a healthcare provider about the exposure. 

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The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a new health alert warning of an increase in human rabies exposures involving known rabies vectors and animals in which rabies is less commonly reported. From July through August 2026, the CDC received 17% more rabies-related inquiries than during the same period in 2025, including reports of mass exposure events. The warning comes less than two weeks after three baby goats at a North Carolina mobile petting zoo tested positive for rabies, potentially exposing hundreds of people. The state health department said rabies shots had been recommended for more than 260 people. The CDC pointed to “several high-profile rabies outbreaks and mass rabies exposure events,” highlighting the importance of careful rabies risk assessments and following evidence-based recommendations for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Why Is Rabies Risk Higher In Summer? Also read: US Petting Zoo Visitors Warned After 4 Goats Test Positive For Rabies: Can You Get Rabies Without A Bite? Rabies exposures typically peak in summer, when people spend more time outdoors and may have more encounters with wildlife. Recent cases have included rabid raccoons, dogs, cats, skunks and bats in several US locations. Bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes are among the animals most frequently implicated in rabies exposures in the US.Between July and August, CDC also received reports from at least eight state health departments of increased rabies PEP use, PEP administration errors, or both According to weekly pharmacy data as of September 2, the utilization for the two rabies vaccines and the two rabies immunoglobulins licensed in the US has increased by an estimated 33% and 76%, respectively, compared with the same time period last year.Why Is Immediate Treatment Important? READ: Bhutan Eliminates Rabies While India Battles Persistent Deaths: What Can India Learn From Its Neighbour?According to the CDC, rabies is a zoonotic viral disease that is nearly 100% fatal, but it is preventable when PEP is given appropriately before patient symptoms start.Anyone who believes they may have been exposed should seek medical care immediately. PEP typically includes washing the wound, rabies vaccination and human rabies immune globulin, an antibody treatment that helps prevent the virus from reaching the central nervous system. The CDC says PEP is nearly 100% effective when administered quickly after exposure. However, once symptoms appear, rabies is almost invariably fatal. The World Health Organization warns that death is inevitable once a patient begins experiencing symptoms. PEP can also be expensive, with costs ranging from $11,000 to $14,000, according to the CDC.Although there is currently no shortage of human rabies  vaccine or human rabies immunoglobulin in the country, the CDC advised clinicians to administer PEP appropriately because errors in rabies risk assessment and PEP administration could result in unnecessary treatment (e.g., additional doses of vaccine or HRIG), potential adverse effects, and avoidable costs. Read More: Bat Encounter While Sleeping: Why You Shouldn’t Ignore The Risk Of RabiesWhat Are The Symptoms? Symptoms can take weeks or months to appear and may initially include fever, headache, weakness and discomfort. A person who has been bitten may also experience prickling or itching at the wound site. As the disease progresses, severe neurological symptoms can develop, including anxiety, confusion, agitation and hallucinations. Severe disease typically develops around two weeks after the initial symptoms, according to the CDC. How To Prevent Rabies Exposure The CDC advises people to avoid contact with wildlife, particularly animals that appear sick, injured or dead. “If you have pets, keep them up to date on rabies vaccines and away from wildlife when possible,” the CDC said. If you or your pet comes into contact with wildlife, particularly after a bite or scratch, wash the wound immediately with soap and water and speak with a healthcare provider about the exposure. 

us cdc warns of rising human rabies exposure risk: how to stay safe

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