Rabies cases in the United States are on the rise, increasing by 17 percent nationwide this summer according to the CDC. Los Angeles recently reported its first case in a raccoon in over five decades. The article emphasizes preventive measures such as maintaining distance from wildlife and ensuring pets have up-to-date vaccinations. It also notes that medical care after exposure includes immediate wound cleaning and seeking professional help for further treatment.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-11,
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Story summary
Rabies cases are on the rise across the United States, posing serious health risks for those not receiving timely treatment. Los Angeles recently reported its first raccoon case in over 50 years, while national parks have issued warnings about infected bats and beavers in Maryland. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rabies cases increased by 17 percent nationwide during summer 2023.
The viral infection impacts the central nervous system, causing flu-like symptoms, confusion, agitation, aggressive behavior, anxiety, and hallucinations. If left untreated before symptoms appear, rabies can be fatal. To prevent exposure, individuals should wash wounds thoroughly with soap and water for 15 minutes if they suspect contact with an infected animal. Additionally, contacting local animal control departments is crucial when encountering suspected rabid animals.
Written for “Rabies Spread And Prevention” on 2026-10-11,
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Rabies cases are rising in the United States with life-threatening consequences for people who don’t receive timely treatment.
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who → log → treatment
Los Angeles just reported its first case in a raccoon in over 50 years this week.
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Angeles → report → years
National parks have warned about swooping rabid bats and rabid beavers attacked in Maryland over the summer.
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parks → warn → summer
Cases jumped 17 percent nationwide this summer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month.
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Cases → jump → Control
The viral infection affects the central nervous system, leading to flu-like illness, confusion, agitation, aggressive behavior, anxiety and hallucinations.
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infection → affect → illness
Infections can be fatal if people don't receive medical care before symptoms start, according to the CDC.
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symptoms → receive → CDC
People can protect themselves by taking precautions and knowing about sources of exposure.
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People → protect → exposure
Animals are the most common way that rabies spreads but there have been reports of rarer methods of transmission, including during organ transplants.
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rabies → spread → transplants
The best way to avoid rabies is to maintain a safe distance from wildlife, health officials say.
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officials → avoid → wildlife
That means never approaching any animals that appear to be injured, sick or even dead.
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that → mean → animals
Infections can occur weeks or months following a bite or scratch.
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Infections → occur → bite
If you come across an animal that you suspect may have rabies, you should contact your local animal control department.
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you → come → department
A dead animal can still spread the virus through contact with saliva or wounds, according to health officials.
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animal → spread → officials
Pets should also be kept away from wild animals as much as possible.
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Pets → keep → animals
Owners need to ensure their pets are up-to-date on rabies vaccines, too.
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pets → need → vaccines
Some of these shots are covered by pet insurance plans, Progressive notes.
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Progressive → cover → plans
People who work with or around animals, including veterinarians and lab wildlife rehabilitators, may be advised to receive a pre-exposure rabies vaccine, as well.
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who → work → vaccine
These are rarely covered by health insurance plans and may cost up to $280 to $360 per dose, according to Purdue University.
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What to do if you’re exposed to rabies
If you believe you have been exposed to rabies through a bite or a scratch, wash the wounds with soap and water for 15 minutes to help flush out the virus.
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you → expose → virus
You should tell a healthcare professional about if you work around animals, the type of animal you encountered and if there were signs the animal was not acting normally.
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animal → tell → animal
If the animal is a pet, ask the owner for proof that the animal is up to date on their rabies vaccination.
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animal → ask → vaccination
And if you’re unsure if you had any direct contact with a rabid animal but still think you have been exposed, consult your local health department.
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you → ’re → department
Medical care after a rabies exposure includes wound care, a medication that provides protective immune antibodies and a series of four or five vaccines.
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that → include → vaccines
But vaccinations after being exposed to rabies can be expensive, costing thousands of dollars for people without health insurance.
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vaccinations → expose → insurance
That’s why knowing when people need the shots is crucial.
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people → ’ → shots
Some 100,000 Americans are vaccinated against rabies following a potential rabies exposure every year.
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Americans → vaccinate → exposure
Federal data shows there are typically around 4,000 cases of the virus each year, with fewer than 10 deaths.
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data → show → deaths
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