Tejal Somvanshi
The CDC issued a health alert on September 10 after multiple states reported increased encounters with rabid or potentially rabid animals and higher use of rabies treatment. Since July 2026, at least eight state health departments documented increases in rabies post-exposure prophylaxis use and administration errors.
The key numbers are worth understanding carefully. The CDC received 17% more rabies-related inquiries from July through August 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. This means more people called asking about rabies exposure, but it doesn't mean human rabies infections increased 17%.
Vaccine utilization increased an estimated 33% during the same period. Rabies immunoglobulin, a critical component of rabies treatment, jumped 76%. These increases happened alongside reports of errors in administering post-exposure prophylaxis, the treatment given after potential rabies exposure.
Rabies is serious. It's fatal once symptoms appear. But it's preventable if you get treatment quickly after exposure. CDC reported errors in the administration of rabies PEP.
Here's what you should do if you think you've been exposed to rabies. First, wash the wound immediately with soap and water. Even minor bites or scratches should be washed immediately. Seek medical attention right away. A healthcare provider will assess whether rabies risk is real. Not every animal contact requires treatment. A small scratch from a pet cat that's up-to-date on vaccines is different from a bite from a wild animal.
Post-exposure prophylaxis is expensive. A typical course costs $11,000 to $14,000.
The CDC specifically stated there is currently no shortage of rabies vaccine or rabies immunoglobulin nationally.
Which animals pose risk? Rabies is found in wild animals like raccoons, bats, and skunks. Domesticated pets that aren't vaccinated can carry it. Bats deserve particular caution because their bites are small and sometimes go unnoticed. If a bat is found in a home and contact with a person cannot be ruled out, seek prompt advice from public health or a healthcare professional about whether rabies exposure may have occurred. For additional rabies guidance, see Karmactive's coverage of Bali rabies red zones.
