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CDC warns of rise in animal rabies activity and human exposures: Here’s what to know
The agency urged people to avoid sick-acting wildlife as reports of animal exposures and post-exposure vaccinations increased nationwide.
On Thursday, the CDC warned of a rise in human rabies exposures this summer, urging people to avoid contact with wildlife and sick-acting mammals across the country.
Rabies exposures typically peak in summer as people spend more time outdoors, with about 90% of animal rabies cases occurring in wildlife like bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes.
From July through August, the CDC received 17% more rabies-related inquiries than the same period last year, while North Carolina officials reported that animals at a petting zoo tested positive, potentially exposing hundreds of people.
Through its Health Alert Network, the CDC urged doctors to conduct careful rabies risk assessments and follow evidence-based recommendations for administering post-exposure prophylaxis to those exposed.
While rabies is rare and potentially fatal, the post-exposure regimen is nearly 100% effective if administered quickly, typically including an antibody medication and at least four doses of vaccine.