Rabies
What is rabies?
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the brain and nerves, often leading to death if left untreated. Globally, rabies results in more than 70,000 deaths annually.
Fortunately, serious health complications from rabies are nearly 100% preventable when treated promptly with post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Each year, about 60,000 Americans receive PEP following potential exposure to the virus.
Globally, rabies results in more than 70,000 deaths annually.
How does rabies spread?
Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, typically via bites. In the United States, bats are responsible for most fatal rabies infections, while other animals like raccoons, foxes, and skunks can also carry the virus.
Outside of the U.S., dog bites are the leading cause of rabies transmission, accounting for 99% of rabies deaths.
See the full list of animals that can carry the rabies virus here.
Who is at risk for rabies?
Anyone can contract rabies, but some people are at higher risk, including those who:
- Travel internationally, especially to areas with high rabies prevalence
- Engage in outdoor activities like camping and hunting that bring them into close contact with wildlife
- Work with animals, particularly wild animals
If you or a loved one is exposed to an animal that is suspected of having rabies, it is best to seek medical attention even if you are not sure whether a bite occurred. This includes waking up in a room with a bat.
What are the symptoms of rabies?
The rabies virus must travel to the brain before symptoms appear, which can result in a delay of weeks to months between exposure and the onset of symptoms.
Early symptoms of rabies often resemble the flu, including weakness, discomfort, fever, and headache.
As the disease progresses and affects the brain, more severe symptoms emerge, typically within the first two weeks of the initial symptoms. These may include:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
- Confusion
- Agitation
- Hallucinations
- Hydrophobia (fear of water)
- Hypersalivation (excessive saliva production)
- Seizures
How can I prevent rabies?
Rabies vaccines are complex, costly, and in limited supply. If you or a loved one may have been exposed to rabies, seek immediate medical attention for an assessment to determine if the vaccine is needed. This helps manage costs and ensures an adequate vaccine supply by administering it only to those who require it.
If post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is needed, treatment typically includes wound care, a dose of human rabies antibodies called immune globulin (HRIG), and a series of four or five rabies vaccines. These should be given as soon as possible after exposure.
Learn more about seeking care here.
