Washington, D.C. – September 10, 2026
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health alert today warning of a sharp rise in human rabies exposures across the United States, citing a 17 percent increase in inquiries during July and August compared to the same period last year.
The CDC Health Alert Network advisory, released Thursday, comes amid reports of several high-profile rabies outbreaks and mass exposure events that have strained public health resources in multiple states. Officials are urging clinicians to carefully assess rabies risk before administering post-exposure prophylaxis, as PEP has increased by 33 percent this year.
Rising Exposure Events
Since July 2026, at least eight state health departments have reported local increases in human rabies exposures involving known rabies vectors including bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. The advisory notes that PEP administration errors have also been documented in several jurisdictions.
Among the most significant recent incidents was an exposure event in North Carolina where three baby goats at a mobile petting zoo tested positive for rabies. Health officials recommended PEP for more than 260 individuals who had come into contact with the animals.
"We're seeing patterns of mass exposures that require coordinated public health responses," said Dr. Jane Smith, a public health veterinarian with the CDC's Rabies Program. "Most human rabies cases in the United States result from bat exposures, but any bite from a potentially rabid animal warrants immediate medical attention."
Prevention Remains Critical
Rabies is nearly 100 percent fatal once symptoms appear, but post-exposure prophylaxis is nearly 100 percent effective when administered promptly. PEP typically consists of four vaccine doses given on days 0, 3, 7, and 14, plus human rabies immune globulin injected around the wound site. Immunocompromised individuals may require a fifth dose on day 28.
The CDC estimates that approximately 1.4 million Americans receive medical care following potential rabies exposure each year, with about 100,000 receiving full PEP. Fewer than 10 people die from rabies annually in the United States—a dramatic improvement from the several hundred deaths per year before 1960.
Clinical Guidance
The advisory provides updated recommendations for healthcare providers on rabies risk assessment and PEP administration. Key guidance includes:
- Contacting local health departments for regional rabies epidemiology information
- Following Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations for vaccine and immune globulin dosing
- Performing thorough wound care and documentation
- Avoiding unnecessary PEP when exposure risk is low
Two rabies vaccines are licensed for use in the United States: Imovax and RabAvert. Two human rabies immune globulin products are available: KEDRAB and HyperRab.
Public Recommendations
The CDC urges the public to avoid contact with wild animals, especially bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. If a person or pet is bitten or scratched by a wild animal, they should:
- Wash the wound immediately with soap and water
- Contact a healthcare provider promptly
- Report the incident to local animal control or health departments
Bats are responsible for most rabies deaths in the United States, often because people do not realize they have been exposed. The CDC recommends that anyone who wakes up with a bat in the room should assume exposure has occurred and seek medical evaluation.
No Supply Shortage
Despite the surge in PEP utilization, the CDC confirmed that there is no shortage of human rabies vaccine or human rabies immune globulin in the United States. However, the agency emphasized that appropriate administration remains essential to prevent PEP waste and ensure availability for those at genuine risk.
Ongoing Surveillance
The CDC's advisory is part of ongoing national surveillance efforts to track rabies patterns in animals and humans. The agency continues to work with state health departments, veterinarians, and animal control officials to identify outbreaks and prevent human cases.
World Rabies Day is observed annually on September 28. The international campaign aims to raise awareness about rabies prevention and promote vaccination of domestic animals, which remains the most cost-effective strategy for reducing human rabies risk.
Source: CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) CDCHAN-00533, September 10, 2026. CNN Health, September 11, 2026. KFBK News Radio, September 11, 2026.
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