CDC Issues Health Advisory on Increased Rabies Exposures and Treatment Errors in the U.S.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health advisory due to a recent increase in human exposures to rabid or potentially rabid animals and reported errors in administering rabies post-exposure treatment (PEP) across multiple U.S. jurisdictions since July. The advisory highlights a 17% increase in rabies-related inquiries compared to the same period in 2025 and increased use of PEP administration errors in at least eight state health departments. The CDC recommends appropriate risk assessments before treatment and adherence to vaccination and human rabies immune globulin guidelines.