The risk of contracting rabies in the U.S. is low for humans due to prevention efforts, but still present and serious, with wildlife (bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes) being the main source, causing only 1-2 deaths annually but thousands of animal cases. While less common now, exposure risks remain, especially from bats, necessitating prompt medical care (PEP) after potential contact, as the disease is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

What are the chances of getting rabies in the US?

Currently, in the U.S., only one to three cases of rabies in humans are reported annually.

Is the USA high risk for rabies?

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of human and animal health experts, fewer than 10 human deaths are reported each year in the U.S. While rabies is uncommon in humans, three out of four Americans live in a community where raccoons, skunks, or foxes carry this deadly disease.

How likely am I to get rabies from a scratch?

Rabies is transmitted through saliva, so fortunately the chances of contracting rabies from a cat scratch are low. The only chance that it might be spread through a scratch is when scratching is accompanied by hissing and biting, which can aerosolize and transmit the virus to another individual.

Is a scratch enough for rabies?

Rabies spreads to people and animals via saliva, usually through bites, scratches, or direct contact with mucosa (e.g. eyes, mouth, or open wounds).

When do you need a rabies shot?

What are the first symptoms of rabies?

Early rabies symptoms often mimic the flu (fever, headache, weakness) plus tingling/itching at the bite site, followed by anxiety, confusion, and difficulty swallowing, which progresses to delirium, paralysis, coma, and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, making prompt treatment crucial.
 

Can you get rabies without being bitten?

Can I get rabies in any way other than an animal bite? Non-bite exposures to rabies are very rare. Scratches, abrasions, open wounds, or mucous membranes contaminated with saliva or other potentially infectious material (such as brain tissue) from a rabid animal constitute non-bite exposures.

How many people died of rabies in the US in 2025?

Of the two cases and subsequent deaths reported in 2025, one occurred in a child who was exposed to rabies in India through a dog bite and died after coming to the U.S.

Do most Americans get a rabies vaccine?

The only people who typically get vaccinated before exposure are those at high risk for exposure, such as laboratory workers, veterinarians, animal handlers, cave explorers, and travelers going to parts of the world where exposure to rabies is likely.

When was the last time someone got rabies from a cat in the US?

No person in the U.S. has died of rabies acquired from a cat since 1975. This last incident occurred in Minnesota, when a 60-year-old man was bitten on the finger and died approximately seven weeks later (Human Rabies in the U.S., 2013).

Is the US considered high risk for rabies?

In the U.S., deaths from rabies are rare. However, about 55,000 persons are treated for potential rabies exposure annually. Mammals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats are common carriers of the rabies virus. Bats have caused 62 out of 89 (70%) human rabies cases in the U.S. since 1960.

Can stage 1 rabies be cured?

Once a rabies infection is established, there's no effective treatment. Though a small number of people have survived rabies, the disease usually causes death. For that reason, if you think you've been exposed to rabies, you must get a series of shots to prevent the infection from taking hold.

Do I need a rabies shot if there was a bat in my house?

Yes, you likely need a rabies shot (post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP) if a bat was in your house, especially if anyone was sleeping, a child, or an impaired person was present, or if there was any direct contact (bite, scratch, even waking up with it in the room), because bat bites can be tiny and missed; contact your health department and doctor immediately to arrange for the bat to be tested and to start PEP if exposure is suspected. 

How rare is rabies in the US?

About 5,000 animal rabies cases are reported in the US each year, with more than 90% of the cases occurring in wildlife. Only about 10% of animal rabies cases in the US occur in domestic animals such as dogs and cats.

How do I know if I have rabies?

At first, there's a tingling, prickling, or itching feeling around the bite area. A person also might have flu-like symptoms such as a fever, headache, muscle aches, loss of appetite, nausea, and tiredness. After a few days, neurological symptoms develop, including: irritability or aggressiveness.

How long can rabies stay dormant in humans?

The incubation period in humans is typically between 20 and 90 days, although incubation periods as short as 4 days and longer than 6 years have been documented.

What is the cost of rabies vaccine?

Rabies vaccine prices vary significantly by species and need: for pets, it's typically $10–$75 per shot at low-cost clinics, but potentially more with exams. For humans, pre-exposure (preventative) shots cost hundreds of dollars ($800–$1,300 for the series), while post-exposure treatment after a bite can reach thousands ($2,500–$7,000 for the full protocol including immune globulin). 

How many people died from rabies in 2025?

"Fortunately, there are only a handful of human rabies cases reported annually, and there is an effective vaccine that can be given to patients after an at-risk animal bite." Six people have died from rabies in the U.S. over the last year, with two of those deaths in 2025, the CDC spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

Are we close to a cure for rabies?

Will there be a cure for rabies? Researchers are currently working on creating a cure for rabies. Once rabies reaches the brain, it is impossible to treat. But there are some medications that have already shown hope in animal studies.

Can I skip the rabies vaccine?

Don't skip any recommended dose: Skipping a scheduled dose can compromise your immunity against rabies. Make sure you complete the entire vaccination course as recommended.

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