The state with the absolute fewest rabies cases is Hawaii, as it's the only U.S. state considered rabies-free, with all reported cases linked to outside exposure. For states in the contiguous U.S., some, like California, have very low rates, with no human cases reported in recent years, but rabies exists in wildlife, making Hawaii the only true absence.

What states have the least rabies?

Hawaii is the only state in the United States that is free of rabies and all dogs and cats entering the state must follow import rabies quarantine requirements. Cases of the disease in Hawaii have all been infected through exposures outside of the state.

What places have no rabies?

Among countries outside the EU, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Norway (mainland), Switzerland and the United Kingdom are free of terrestrial rabies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Which state is free of rabies?

While most U.S. states mandate rabies vaccination, Hawaii is the only state without statewide requirements, though it has strict import rules; other states offer medical exemptions (like CA, NY, FL, etc.) for pets too sick for vaccines, requiring vet certification, and some states (like Florida, New Jersey) only mandate vaccines for imported animals past a certain age.

Is Hawaii the only state that doesn't have rabies?

Yes, Hawaii is the only U.S. state that is rabies-free, a status it maintains through strict animal import laws and quarantine procedures for pets like dogs and cats entering the state, which can range from a 5-day or less program to a 120-day quarantine to prevent the disease's introduction, explain Hawaii.gov. This unique status means resident pets aren't required to be vaccinated for rabies, but it also necessitates rigorous controls on incoming animals to protect the ecosystem, public health, and economy, according to the Hawaii State Department of Health https://health.hawaii.gov/docd/files/2017/01/Rabies_Fact_Sheet.pdf and Hawaii.gov https://dab.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/faq-for-animal-quarantine/.
 

Rabies: One of the Most Deadly Viruses

What states do not require rabies vaccines?

To date (2023), only 16 states have laws or regulations that allow owners to seek a medical exemption from having their dogs vaccinated for rabies. One state (Hawaii) has no laws or regulations that require vaccination on a statewide basis.

How did Goa become rabies free?

Achieving 'rabies controlled' status took around 8 years, starting with a small-scale pilot initiative by Mission Rabies to vaccinate 5,000 dogs, growing to a state-wide programme launched in 2015, with the goal of vaccinating up to 100,000 dogs annually.

Is 7 days too late for rabies vaccine?

Even if you have been bitten a few days, weeks or months ago, it is never too late to start. The rabies virus can incubate for several years before it causes symptoms. If you wait until you get symptoms, it will be too late – there is no treatment for established rabies …

What are the first signs of rabies in humans?

Early signs of rabies in humans are often flu-like (fever, headache, weakness, discomfort) and include unusual tingling, itching, or pain at the bite site, lasting several days before more severe neurological symptoms like anxiety, confusion, and hallucinations develop as the virus reaches the brain.
 

Who rabies zero by 30?

Zero by 30: the global strategic plan to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030. Why eliminate rabies? An estimated 59 000 people die from rabies each year. That's one person every nine minutes of every day, 40% of whom...

How did Mexico eliminate rabies?

Despite having an estimated 24 million dogs living on the street, Mexico eradicated dog-mediated rabies. The country did so through continuous dog immunization campaigns, starting in the 1990s. You need to immunize at least 70 percent of the entire dog population to protect humans from rabies.

Can I skip the rabies vaccine for my dog?

Rabies is one of the most commonly mandated vaccinations for pets due to its serious threat to human and animal health. Failing to vaccinate your pet in accordance with local or federal mandates can result in fines or other legal penalties.

What states have the highest rabies?

While the risk is highest in the U.S. Southwest and Alaska, rabid foxes have been reported in many parts of the country and should be considered a high-risk exposure. Since 2023, rabies outbreaks in foxes have been reported in Arizona, California, and Alaska.

How did Japan get rid of rabies?

The elimination of rabies in Japan is attributed to not only its geographic isolation but also to effective prevention and control measures, such as registration and vaccination of domestic dogs, required quarantine of susceptible imported animals, and national plans of action based on scientific research.

Which animal doesn't get rabies?

Birds, fish, reptiles (snakes, turtles, lizards), amphibians (frogs, salamanders), and insects cannot get or spread rabies, as it only affects mammals; however, while small rodents like mice, squirrels, and chipmunks rarely get rabies, they usually don't transmit it, but opossums and large rodents (woodchucks) can, and it's crucial to vaccinate pets and livestock against this virus, notes.
 

Who has beaten rabies?

As of 2016, only fourteen people were documented to have survived a rabies infection after showing symptoms.

What is the deadliest virus on Earth?

Using the “case fatality rate” metric to determine what virus is the deadliest, rabies would likely come out on top. That's because, if an infection becomes symptomatic, rabies is fatal to humans in more than 99 percent of cases. Globally, approximately 59,000 people die from rabies every year.

Has anyone died from rabies in 2025?

Rabies is almost always fatal without postexposure prophylaxis (PEP). What is added by this report? In February 2025, CDC confirmed a fatal rabies case in a patient who had received a transplanted kidney from a deceased donor with undiagnosed rabies.

Has a dog ever survived rabies?

A total of 1820 dogs and 332 cats that appeared ill or had bitten humans or animals were observed for ⩾10 days. Of these, 957 dogs and 94 cats that were confirmed to be rabid survived <10 days after admission to our institution.

Can a vaccinated dog still get rabies?

The chances of a vaccinated dog getting rabies are very low, it is still possible. Regardless of vaccination status, any dog that has bitten a person must be quarantined for ten days.

What is the 10 day rule in rabies?

The 10-day observation period for a biting dog, cat, or ferret is a standard public health practice to determine rabies risk: if the animal remains healthy for 10 days after biting someone, it wasn't shedding the rabies virus in its saliva at the time of the bite, meaning the exposed person usually doesn't need rabies post-exposure shots (PEP). This quarantine ensures the animal is available for monitoring, preventing unnecessary euthanasia for brain testing and avoiding expensive PEP for the bite victim if the animal stays healthy.
 

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