Rabies exposure cases increased 17% in July and August, CDC warns

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns of a 17% increase in rabies-related inquiries during July and August 2026 compared to 2025, driven by multiple high-profile exposure events. The agency also reports a rise in administration errors for post-exposure prophylaxis, despite a 33% increase in vaccine use. While rabies remains nearly 100% fatal once symptoms begin, fewer than 10 Americans die annually due to effective, though costly, preventive treatments.

Summer 2026 rabies exposure surge

• ▪The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a 17% increase in rabies-related inquiries in July and August 2026 compared to the same period in 2025
• ▪Fewer than 10 people die of rabies annually in the United States, representing a significant decrease from the several hundred annual deaths recorded prior to 1960
• ▪Approximately 1.4 million people in the United States seek medical attention annually after potential exposure to rabies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• ▪The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the use of rabies vaccines and immunoglobulins in the United States increased by 33% and 76%, respectively, in 2026

Multiple state rabies outbreaks

• ▪Health officials in Suffolk, Virginia, warned residents on September 10, 2026, that a raccoon within city limits had tested positive for rabies
• ▪Local veterinarians in Mire, Louisiana, issued warnings after a dog tested positive for rabies in September 2026
• ▪Health officials in Elmira, New York, reported in September 2026 that multiple cats and skunks had recently tested positive for rabies
• ▪Nearly 300 people in North Carolina were exposed to rabies via a mobile petting zoo's baby goats in September 2026

Post-exposure prophylaxis treatment errors

• ▪Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis care, which includes wound washing, vaccination, and antibody treatments, can cost between $11,000 and $14,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• ▪The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned healthcare providers on September 10, 2026, of errors in the administration of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis care

Rabies prevention for pets

• ▪The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised pet owners to keep their pets up to date on rabies vaccinations and to avoid contact with wild animals
• ▪Health officials recommend that individuals who interact with wildlife, particularly if bitten or scratched, immediately wash the wound with soap and water and consult a healthcare provider

Early rabies symptom recognition

• ▪Early symptoms of rabies in humans can include flu-like illness, fever, headache, weakness, discomfort, or an itching sensation at the site of a bite, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• ▪Severe symptoms of rabies, which typically develop weeks or months after exposure, can include anxiety, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, excess saliva, thrashing, biting, and fear of fluids