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Human rabies exposure cases on the rise, CDC warns
The CDC urged doctors and the public to watch for wildlife contact as reports of animal exposures and rabies shots rose 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.