Rabies Infections Increase in Humans and Wildlife Throughout the Country

The CDC says it’s currently tracking 15 possible rabies outbreaks across the country. (Photo by Christopher J. Barger)

Rabies infections have killed six people across the U.S. over the past 12 months, which is the highest number of rabies deaths in years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There’s also been an uptick of rabies cases in wild animals in more than a dozen locations across the county.

Dr. Ryan Wallace, who leads the rabies team at the CDC, told NBC reporters that the agency is currently tracking 15 likely outbreaks in states such as New York, Massachusetts, Alaska, Arizona, California, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, Oregon and Vermont.

“There are parts of the United States where it does seem like we’re getting more calls and more reports,” Wallace said. “Whether those numbers are truly significant increases, we can only tell at the end of the year. But right now, at peak rabies season, it does seem like activity is higher.”

According to the CDC, bats are the most likely to carry the deadly disease and infect people.

Each year, 1.4 million Americans seek medical evaluation for possible exposure to the rabies virus and 100,000 receive a series of vaccine injections to prevent the illness.

Rabies is typically transmitted to humans and other animals primarily through the saliva of an infected animal, usually via a bite.

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), once symptoms manifest, the fatality rate is almost 100%. Early symptoms, which can occur a week or up to a year after exposure, may begin with flu-like symptoms and progress to severe neurological issues such as confusion, paralysis, salivating, hallucinations and difficulty swallowing, followed by death.

According to the CDC, from 2015 to 2024, 17 cases of human rabies were reported, two of which were contracted outside the U.S.

One of the largest increases in wildlife rabies infection rates has been noted in Franklin County, near the Research Triangle region of central North Carolina, which experienced a doubling of confirmed cases over the past year.

“For the number of confirmed cases to go up 100%, and we’re not even over this year’s rabies season, that’s a big deal,” said Scott LaVigne, the county’s health director.

LaVigne says diminishing wild habitat may be a large factor driving the spread of rabies because animals that were once isolated are now crowded together making disease spread more likely.

“The population of Franklin County since 2010 has increased 35%, and those people have to live somewhere,” he said. “And, so you’re seeing increased land development and housing tracts going in.”

Experts say it’s a good idea to assume that any wild animal that is acting unusually aggressive, fearless or too friendly may be infected with rabies and to keep your distance and contact authorities, such as the local police or animal control agency.