Health officials are raising alarms about rabies, a disease many Americans rarely consider but which remains almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
In the past year, six people in the United States have died from rabies — the highest toll reported in several years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is tracking 15 likely rabies outbreaks across more than a dozen states, including North Carolina.
Public health experts say two key factors are fueling the rise: declining vaccination rates among household pets and increased human contact with wild or stray animals. Both trends raise the risk of exposure to rabies, which spreads through the bite or scratch of an infected animal.
Doctors emphasize that rabies is preventable if action is taken quickly after exposure. Vaccinating pets, avoiding wild or stray animals, and washing any bite or scratch immediately can reduce risk. Anyone who suspects they may have been exposed should seek medical care immediately.
Officials urge families to treat the threat seriously, especially heading into late summer and fall when outdoor activity increases human-animal interactions.
