Human exposure to rabies is on the rise this summer, warns the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to a CDC health advisory issued Sept. 10, "multiple United States jurisdictions" have reported increases in human exposure to rabies or animals in which rabies is less commonly reported since July 2026. The advisory notes "high-profile rabies outbreaks and mass rabies exposure events."
Those outbreaks include one in North Carolina, where baby goats at a mobile petting zoo were infected with rabies. Visitors may have been exposed to rabies at 10 locations between July 28 and Aug. 27.
The CDC received 17% more rabies-related inquiries from July to August 2026 than during the same period in 2025, including reports of mass exposure
events involving more than one person. According to weekly pharmacy data as of Sept. 2, 2026, utilization for the two rabies vaccines and the two rabies immunoglobulins licensed in the United States increased by an estimated 33% and 76%, respectively, compared with the same time period last year.
Here's how to protect yourself from rabies.
What is rabies?
Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease, according to its CDC entry. It primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to severe brain disease and death if medical care is not received before symptoms start.
How is rabies spread?
It can be spread to people and pets through the bites and scratches of an infected animal.
What are the symptoms of rabies?
It can take weeks or months from the time of exposure for symptoms of rabies to show. And once clinical signs appear, the disease is almost always fatal.
The first symptoms of rabies may include:
- Flu-like illness including weakness or discomfort, fever, or headache
- Discomfort, prickling or an itching sensation at the site of the bite
Symptoms of advanced rabies include:
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Agitation
- Hallucinations
- Being very thirsty but panicked by fluids
- Having lots of saliva
- Aggressive behavior like thrashing and biting
What animals carry rabies? Do mosquitoes carry rabies?
More than 90% of reported cases of rabies in animals occur in wildlife. Rabies is found in many wildlife species, including:
- Bats
- Raccoons
- Skunks
- Foxes
Rabies in dogs
Rabid dogs in the Unites States are uncommon because of effective vaccination and control programs, the CDC states.
Worldwide, however, domestic dogs are responsible for the roughly 70,000 human deaths from rabies each year.
Who is at risk for rabies?
People most at risk for rabies include:
- Travelers, especially in areas where rabid dogs are still a problem
- Outdoor enthusiasts who may come into contact with rabid wildlife
- Veterinary professionals, animal control workers, wildlife researchers or rehabilitators, agricultural workers or others who work in contact with animals.
People who are at increased risk for rabies exposures may want to consider pre-exposure vaccination for increased protection.
How can you prevent rabies?
The CDC says human cases of rabies in the United States are rare, thanks to prevention efforts of veterinarians who vaccinate more than 90 million dogs and cats each year, wildlife management officials and public health professionals. More than 5 million vaccine baits are distributed yearly to wildlife to control rabies in animals.
You can help prevent rabies by:
- Making sure your pets are up to date on their rabies vaccines.
- Keeping wildlife wild — stay away from wildlife for both human and animal safety.
- Calling animal control to remove stray animals from your neighborhood.
- Washing bites or scratches immediately with soap and water after possible rabies exposure.
- Seeking medical care urgently if you may have been exposed to rabies.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: CDC reports outbreak of human rabies exposure. How to protect yourself
