The last confirmed human rabies death in the U.S. from a cat bite was in 1975 in Minnesota, but recent outbreaks show cats remain a risk, with CDC reporting a 2024 event where a rabid feral cat potentially exposed hundreds in multiple states, leading to PEP for some, and cases in China still link to cat exposures, highlighting ongoing concern despite few U.S. human cases.

When was the last case of cat to human rabies?

Of the 24 human rabies cases reported to CDC in the United States since 2000, none have been associated with exposure to a rabid cat. The last documented case of human rabies from exposure to a rabid cat was in 1975 (1).

Has a human ever caught rabies from a cat?

Rabies in cats is extremely rare. According to the CDC, domestic animals, including pets, accounted for only 7.6% of reported rabies cases in the U.S. in 2015, the last year for which statistics were available. There has not been a single confirmed case of cat-to-human rabies in the U.S. in the past 40 years.

How likely is a cat to give you rabies?

Rabies is transmitted through saliva, so fortunately the chances of contracting rabies from a cat scratch are low.

Is rabies still fatal in 2025?

In terms of human cases, CDC data show there were zero reported in 2019 and 2020, five reported in 2021, zero in 2022 and 2023, four in 2024 and two so far in 2025. Rabies in humans is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

Timeline: What If You Got Rabies?

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 …

How can I tell if a cat has rabies?

How to Tell if a Cat has Rabies

1. Excessive drooling.
2. Uncharacteristic fearfulness, aggression, or even affection.
3. Barking or meowing differently.
4. Biting at the site where they were exposed to the virus.
5. Overreaction to light, sound, or touch.
6. Uncharacteristic aggression.
7. Difficulty swallowing.
8. Loss of balance when walking.

Will I be ok after a cat bite?

You should see a physician as soon as possible. Most cat bite wounds are small punctures that drive pathogenic bacteria deep into the skin. Left untreated, a serious infection can develop within 24 to 48 hours.

Should I worry if my cat bites me?

Cat Bite/Scratch Care

Immediately contact your medical provider if: There are additional signs of infection around the wound like redness, warmth, swelling, or foul-smelling drainage. You develop a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. You have flu-like symptoms like chills, fever, headache, or swollen lymph nodes.

Do all cats carry rabies?

Fortunately, rabies is uncommon in pet cats because of widespread vaccination by pet parents. Rabies is a medical emergency, and cats who have been exposed to the virus or who are displaying symptoms should be brought to a veterinarian immediately.

How many people have died from rabies from cats?

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). Several programs have been responsible for the decline in rabies cases.

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.
 

What is the 3:2:1 rule in cats?

The "3-2-1 Rule" for cats is a guideline for monitoring injection sites for lumps after vaccinations, indicating potential Feline Injection-Site Sarcomas (FISS); a lump needs veterinary investigation if it's present for 3 months, is larger than 2 centimeters, or grows after 1 month, prompting a biopsy to rule out cancer. This helps differentiate normal inflammation from aggressive tumors, with biopsy recommended for concerning signs, especially since FISS are serious but rare.

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.
 

Which country has the highest risk of rabies?

It is estimated that 60% of rabies human deaths occur in Africa. Outside of Africa, rabies is especially prevalent in India (which accounts for 36% of global rabies deaths) and in parts of Southeast Asia.

Can I ignore a cat bite?

Don't Ignore Cat Bite Wounds. Don't ignore cat bites. The proof is, just eight hours after getting a number of bites, a patient experienced severe swelling in his hand that made him rush to the emergency room.

When should I start worrying about a cat bite?

You should worry about a cat bite and seek medical care if you see signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus, warmth, increasing pain, red streaks), develop fever, chills, or swollen lymph nodes, if the bite is deep or on a sensitive area (hands, face, joints), or if your immune system is weak. Always clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water, as cat bites can easily lead to deep bacterial infections.

What percentage of cat bites get infected?

Almost 90% of cat bites appear to be from provoked animals, while more than 50% of dog bites result from unprovoked attacks. Between 28% and 80% of cat bites are complicated by infection.

Does a house cat have rabies?

Most often cats get rabies after being bitten by a wild animal, even if you have an indoor cat they are still at risk for rabies because infected animals such as mice can enter your home and spread the condition to your cat.

Can you get rabies if the cat is alive after 30 days?

If the cat is still alive or is not exhibiting any clinical signs of rabies after the 10-day observation period, then the bite could not have transmitted rabies since the cat was not shedding the rabies virus at the time of the bite.

Who is at higher risk for rabies?

Children between the age of 5 and 14 years are frequent victims. Rabies infects mammals, including dogs, cats, livestock and wildlife. Rabies spreads to people and animals via saliva, usually through bites, scratches, or direct contact with mucosa (e.g. eyes, mouth, or open wounds).

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). 

Can we kiss a person who is taking the rabies vaccine?

No, patients who are undergoing preventative vaccination against rabies are not able to transmit the virus to others. The vaccine does not contain live virus but rather a killed form of the virus and is non-infectious.

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