A sharp nationwide rise in potential rabies exposures has prompted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue a health advisory, alongside growing reports of animals testing positive for the deadly virus in several states including California. According to the CDC, demand for life-saving rabies vaccines and immunoglobulins surged significantly over the summer months, driven by increased human contact with wildlife and occasional administrative errors in post-exposure treatment.
CDC Issues National Health Advisory Following Exposure Spikes
The CDC issued a Health Alert Network advisory on Sept. 10, 2026, responding to mounting reports of human interactions with rabid or suspected rabid animals across multiple U.S. jurisdictions, according to federal health data. From July through August, the agency received 17% more rabies-related inquiries compared to the same timeframe in the previous year, which included notifications of mass exposure events. At least eight state health departments reported heavier utilization of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) during this window.
Pharmacy tracking data analyzed by the CDC shows that by Sept. 2, 2026, demand for two primary rabies vaccines had climbed roughly 33% relative to the same period in 2025. Concurrently, the use of two rabies immunoglobulins—administered immediately after an exposure to stop the virus from advancing—jumped 76% year-over-year.
Understanding the Health Risks of Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and is “nearly 100% fatal” once clinical symptoms manifest, according to the CDC. The virus transmits through bites and scratches from infected mammals, with bats, foxes, raccoons, and skunks serving as the primary wildlife reservoirs. Agricultural workers, veterinarians, and animal control personnel face elevated occupational risks, though everyday encounters account for many exposures.
The CDC estimates that roughly 1.4 million people seek medical evaluation for animal encounters in the United States annually, with approximately 100,000 individuals receiving formal rabies post-exposure treatment. Early signs of human infection often mirror influenza, featuring fever, headache, weakness, and localized discomfort, itching, or prickling sensations near the bite wound, as outlined by the Mayo Clinic.
As the disease progresses into advanced stages, patients typically develop:
- Severe anxiety, confusion, and agitation
- Hallucinations and aggressive behaviors, such as thrashing or biting
- Excessive salivation
- Hydrophobia, characterized by intense thirst paired with panic or difficulty when attempting to swallow liquids
According to the state Public Health Agency, infected individuals generally slip into a coma and die within one to two weeks after clinical signs first appear. However, the virus remains entirely preventable if exposed individuals receive prompt vaccination before symptom onset.
Local Increases Reported Across California Counties
While human cases remain rare—the state Public Health Agency notes that 17 people have been infected in the state since 1980, with the most recent case occurring in 2024—local wildlife testing indicates active circulation of the virus. Approximately 200 animals test positive for rabies annually in California, predominantly wild species.
In the Bay Area, the Berkeley Public Health Division confirmed on Aug. 26 that five rabies-positive bats were discovered in residential and commercial neighbors in west and north Berkeley. Public health officials emphasize that any direct contact with unfamiliar or wild animals, particularly bats, warrants immediate medical assessment to determine if post-exposure treatment is necessary.
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