CDC Issues Health Alert as US Rabies Exposures Surge in 2026

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health alert following an increase in reported animal exposures and rabies-related medical treatment across the United States during the summer of 2026.

The federal health agency said reports of animal encounters that could potentially expose people to rabies have risen compared with the same period last year. The increase has also been accompanied by higher use of rabies vaccines and human rabies immune globulin, prompting the CDC to remind healthcare professionals about the correct procedures for administering post-exposure treatment.

Rabies is a viral disease that can spread from infected animals to humans. Although it is preventable when appropriate treatment is provided before symptoms begin, the disease is considered almost universally fatal once clinical symptoms develop.

Rabies treatment has increased sharply

According to the CDC, use of the two licensed rabies vaccines in the United States increased by an estimated 33 percent compared with the same period in 2025. The figures were based on weekly pharmacy data collected through Sept. 2, 2026.

Use of human rabies immune globulin, commonly known as HRIG, increased even more substantially. The CDC reported a 76 percent increase compared with the same period last year.

The agency also said it received 17 percent more rabies-related inquiries between July and August than it did during the corresponding period in 2025.

At least eight state health departments have reported increased use of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, treatment mistakes, or both.

The CDC emphasized that the United States does not currently have a national shortage of rabies vaccine or HRIG. However, the agency warned that unnecessary treatment and administration errors can increase healthcare costs, contribute to adverse effects, and place additional pressure on available supplies.

A complete course of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis can cost approximately $11,000 to $14,000 per patient, according to the CDC.

Why proper treatment matters

Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, often called PEP, is used after someone has potentially been exposed to the rabies virus.

Treatment generally involves rabies vaccine and, when indicated, human rabies immune globulin. The vaccine helps the immune system develop protection against the virus, while HRIG provides immediate antibodies during the period before the body's own immune response becomes effective.

The CDC has updated its clinical guidance on rabies PEP and reminded healthcare providers that the two products must be administered correctly.

One particularly important point concerns people who have previously received rabies vaccination or who are undergoing pre-exposure prophylaxis.

The CDC states that these individuals should not receive HRIG.

Treatment decisions can depend on factors including the person's vaccination history, the type of exposure, the animal involved, and whether the animal can be safely observed or tested. For that reason, people who may have been exposed should seek an individual medical risk assessment rather than attempting to determine treatment requirements themselves.

Treatment errors reported by health officials

The CDC highlighted several errors that healthcare providers should avoid.

One reported mistake involves administering the rabies vaccine in the buttocks. The agency also identified situations in which HRIG was not properly infiltrated around wounds.

Another error involves administering the vaccine and immune globulin at the same injection site.

Other reported problems include failing to administer HRIG when it is indicated and giving HRIG to people who have already been vaccinated against rabies.

The CDC also cautioned against automatically restarting a rabies vaccine series when a dose is delayed. A scheduling delay does not necessarily mean that the entire series needs to begin again.

The agency said following established PEP guidance can help ensure that patients receive effective protection while reducing unnecessary treatment and healthcare expenses.

Rabies activity reported in North Carolina

The CDC alert comes as individual states report rabies activity among animals.

In North Carolina, three baby goats associated with a mobile petting zoo tested positive for rabies on Aug. 28, 2026. A fourth goat was considered likely to have been infected, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

The animals had appeared at events in multiple counties between July 28 and Aug. 27. Those events included an assisted-living facility and a back-to-school gathering.

Health officials said the goats were likely exposed after a skunk entered their enclosure.

Because members of the public may have bottle-fed, cuddled, or otherwise handled the goats, North Carolina officials urged people who had direct contact with the animals to seek an individual assessment from public health authorities or a healthcare professional.

The incident illustrates why unusual animal behavior or known rabies exposure can require prompt attention, even when an animal appears healthy at the time of contact.

Wildlife remains a major source of concern

Rabies can infect mammals and can spread to people through bites, scratches, or contact between infected saliva and broken skin or mucous membranes.

In the United States, wildlife accounts for the overwhelming majority of reported rabid animals. The CDC identifies bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes among the animals that can pose important rabies risks.

The virus attacks the central nervous system. Once symptoms appear, the illness can progress rapidly and is almost always fatal.

However, exposure does not automatically mean that a person will develop rabies. Prompt evaluation and appropriate PEP can prevent infection in people who have been exposed.

The CDC estimates that approximately 1.4 million people seek medical attention in the United States each year following animal contact. Around 100,000 people receive preventive rabies treatment annually.

The agency also estimates that approximately 4,000 rabid animals are reported in the country each year, with more than 90 percent being wildlife.

What people should do after a possible exposure

Anyone who is bitten or scratched by an animal that could carry rabies should wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical advice promptly.

People should not wait for symptoms to develop before seeking an assessment. Once symptoms of rabies appear, treatment options are extremely limited and the disease is generally fatal.

A healthcare professional or public health authority can assess the circumstances and determine whether rabies PEP is appropriate.

People should also avoid attempting to capture or handle unfamiliar wildlife themselves. If an animal involved in an exposure can be safely tested or observed under the direction of animal control or public health officials, that information may help determine whether treatment is necessary.

The CDC's latest warning is primarily directed at healthcare professionals, but the broader message for the public is straightforward: potential rabies exposures should be taken seriously, and timely medical evaluation can be lifesaving.

A seasonal reminder about animal encounters

Summer and early fall can bring increased opportunities for people and animals to come into close contact. Outdoor activities, community events, petting zoos, wildlife encounters, and interactions with unfamiliar animals can all create situations in which exposure may occur.

The CDC's latest data do not mean that every animal encounter represents a rabies risk. Instead, the increase in reported exposures serves as a reminder for both the public and healthcare providers to understand when medical evaluation is warranted.

For people who have potentially been exposed, getting professional advice quickly is far more important than trying to determine the risk alone.

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "CDC Statement on Increases in Recent Animal Rabies Activity and Associated Human Exposures," Sept. 10, 2026.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Alert Network, "Increase in Reported Human Rabies Exposures and Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Administration," Sept. 10, 2026.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis."
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, information on rabies and protecting public health.
• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, announcements concerning rabies-positive goats associated with a mobile petting zoo, Aug. 28 and Aug. 29, 2026.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Rabies exposure can be a medical emergency. Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to rabies should promptly contact a healthcare professional or local public health authority for an individual risk assessment. Treatment decisions should be made by qualified medical professionals based on the circumstances of the exposure and the person's vaccination history.