Rabies cases Rise Across the U.S., Prompting Public Health Concerns
Atlanta, GA – September 22, 2025 – A concerning increase in rabies cases across the United States is prompting warnings from public health experts, raising the specter of a potential surge in human infections. While rabies remains rare in the U.S. due to widespread vaccination of domestic animals, recent cases involving direct contact with wildlife – and, in some instances, unvaccinated pets - are fueling anxieties about the virus’s spread.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring the situation, as cases in both animals and, more alarmingly, humans are appearing in states not typically considered high-risk for rabies. This uptick underscores the importance of awareness, preventative measures, and prompt medical attention following any potential exposure. experts emphasize that rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms develop, making pre-exposure vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis critical.
According to experts, several factors may be contributing to the increased risk. These include expanding wildlife populations, changes in animal movement patterns, and perhaps decreased vaccination rates in certain animal populations. the CDC reports that bats are the most common source of rabies transmission to humans in the United States, followed by raccoons, skunks, and foxes.
“Rabies is a devastating disease, and it’s almost always preventable,” explained Cassandra Boutelle, MPH, and Ryan Wallace, DVM, MPH, of the CDC, in a statement. “The key is to avoid contact with wild animals, vaccinate your pets, and seek immediate medical attention if you are bitten or scratched by an animal that coudl potentially be rabid.”
The CDC recommends that anyone bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal should promptly wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water, and seek medical attention. Post-exposure prophylaxis, which involves a series of rabies vaccinations and, in certain specific cases, rabies immune globulin, is highly effective in preventing the disease if administered promptly.
For more details, Cassandra Boutelle, MPH, and Ryan Wallace, DVM, MPH, can be reached at media@cdc.gov.
