CDC Reports Nationwide Rise in Rabies Exposures, Demand for Shots

Federal health officials are reporting a nationwide increase in human exposures to rabid animals, prompting a public health advisory and a rise in demand for preventive treatment. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health alert on September 10, 2026, after multiple jurisdictions reported local increases in people being exposed to rabid or possibly rabid animals since July. The advisory noted that from July through August, the CDC received 17 more rabies-related inquiries than during the same period in 2025, including reports of mass exposure events. As of September 2, pharmacy data showed demand for two rabies vaccines had increased roughly 33% year-over-year, while use of two rabies immunoglobulins, which provide immediate protection after exposure, was up 76%. Rabies is a viral disease that spreads to people through bites, scratches, or contact with an infected animal's saliva. It attacks the central nervous system and is nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear. However, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), a series of shots given promptly after exposure, is highly effective at preventing the disease.