CDC Issues Health Alert on Increase in Rabies

The US Center For Disease Control (CDC) issued a health advisory notice through its Health Alert Network (HAN) to inform clinicians, health departments, and the public about recent increases of rabies activity in animals and associated human exposure.

In the summer of 2026, reports of rabies activity in animals as well as post-exposure vaccinations have increased across the country. The CDC urges medical professionals to cautiously conduct evidence-based risk assessments following up-to-date guidelines from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

The CDC urges everyone to avoid contact with any wildlife that appears sick or is behaving erratically especially if you recognize symptoms of rabies and to seek prompt medical care if you are bitten, scratched, or otherwise exposed by a potentially sick animal. Proper administration of the vaccine is crucial for effective treatment and those with compromised immune systems may require additional considerations.

For more information on rabies, visit https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/.