CDC issues alert about nationwide increase in rabies exposures

Key Points:

• The CDC has reported a 17% increase in rabies-related inquiries from July to August compared to last year, including mass exposure events such as one in North Carolina involving nearly 300 people exposed to rabid baby goats from a mobile petting zoo.
• There has been a surge in the administration of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), with a 33% increase in rabies vaccine use and a 76% increase in rabies immunoglobulin use this year, though no shortages currently exist.
• Rabies is nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear, but timely PEP treatment before symptom onset is highly effective in preventing the disease, which can take up to two months to develop symptoms.
• The CDC emphasizes appropriate PEP administration to avoid unnecessary treatments, adverse effects, and high costs, which can range from $11,000 to $14,000 per person.
• Prevention strategies include vaccinating pets, avoiding wildlife, promptly washing wounds after potential exposure, and seeking immediate medical care if exposed, with wildlife and bats being the primary rabies carriers in the US.