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News
Rabies cases are on the rise in the US, with the CDC issuing a health advisory after a 17% spike in rabies-related inquiries this summer. High-profile outbreaks — including rabid baby goats at a North Carolina petting zoo — have driven up vaccine and immune globulin use significantly. Officials urge anyone bitten or scratched to seek care immediately, as rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear.
The CDC issued a health advisory on September 10, 2026, warning of a nationwide surge in rabies exposures after multiple states reported local increases since July. Rabies-related inquiries jumped 17% in July and August compared to the same period in 2025, driven in part by several high-profile outbreaks — including four rabid baby goats at a North Carolina petting zoo that exposed multiple visitors to the virus.
The agency is urging clinicians to conduct careful rabies risk assessments and administer post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) promptly. PEP is nearly 100% effective when given before symptoms emerge — but once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal. Notably, no hospital ED or county health department can deny treatment due to lack of insurance, as rabies is treated as a public health issue.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Rabies remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases known, with a near-100% fatality rate once symptomatic. This surge is a critical reminder for clinicians and the public alike: timely post-exposure care saves lives, and awareness of animal contact risks — especially with wildlife — is more important than ever.
