Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Health Alert Network advisory to inform clinicians, health departments, and the public about a rise in animal rabies activity and human exposures across the U.S. during the summer of 2026. Rabies is preventable if exposed individuals receive appropriate vaccination before symptoms develop. The CDC emphasizes that careful, evidence-based risk assessments are critical when considering rabies post-exposure treatments and following current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations. Proper administration of rabies vaccine and human rabies immune globulin ensures effective protection and avoids unnecessary treatment, costs, and vaccine supply issues.
The CDC notes that people with compromised immune systems may require a five-dose rabies vaccination regimen and laboratory testing to confirm an adequate immune response. Anyone bitten, scratched, or potentially exposed to a rabid animal should immediately contact healthcare providers or public health authorities for guidance. The CDC urges healthcare practitioners and public health departments to consult the full HAN advisory for detailed clinical and preventive recommendations.
The CDC also advises the public to avoid contact with sick or abnormal-acting mammals and wildlife, and to seek prompt medical evaluation after potential exposures to prevent rabies. The agency continues to support state and local partners with resources to protect public health during this period of increased rabies activity.