09/18/2026
CDC: Rabies exposures have increased, including from variety of species
AVMA News Published on September 11, 2026
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory on September 10 about a nationwide increase in reported human rabies exposures. The federal health agency also warned about rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) administration errors.
From July through August, the CDC received 17% more rabies-related inquiries than during the same period in 2025. At the same time, local health departments have reported increases in human rabies exposures, including from animals in which rabies is uncommon.
Since July, several high-profile rabies outbreaks and mass rabies exposure events have occurred, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to highlight the importance of performing careful rabies risk assessments and following evidence-based recommendations for administering post-exposure prophylaxis.
Since July, several high-profile rabies outbreaks and mass rabies exposure events have occurred, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to highlight the importance of performing careful rabies risk assessments and following evidence-based recommendations for administering post-exposure prophylaxis.
Health departments in North Carolina, for instance, recently investigated an incident associated with a mobile petting zoo where multiple patrons were ultimately exposed to rabies-positive baby goats, according to the state's Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). Rabies shots have been recommended for more than 260 people.
Additionally, since July, two people were attacked by rabid beavers at a Maryland state park, a south New Jersey man was bitten on the leg by a rabid raccoon, and an unknown animal—either a gray fox or a fisher—has reportedly attacked three people in New Hampshire.
The CDC says it has received reports from at least eight state health departments of increased rabies PEP use, PEP administration errors, or both in the past three months.
Each year, about 1.4 million people in the United States seek medical care after suspected contact with a rabid animal, and about 100,000 people receive PEP treatment, according to the CDC. Fewer than 10 rabies deaths are reported each year.
According to weekly pharmacy data, the CDC says as of September 2, use of the two rabies vaccines and the two human rabies immune globulins (HRIGs) has increased by an estimated 33% and 76%, respectively, compared with the same period last year.
"Although there is currently no shortage of human rabies vaccine or human rabies immunoglobulin in the United States, it is important for 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,” the health advisory stated, noting that a typical course of PEP can cost up to $14,000 per person.
Among animals, there were 3,834 reported cases of rabies in the U.S. in 2024.
The AVMA policy on "Rabies" states: "Rabies is an almost invariably fatal disease for animals and humans. AVMA endorses the 2016 Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control developed by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians. Vaccination of animals is a critical step in preventing infection and protecting public health."
