Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The CDC reports that 5 human deaths were attributed to rabies in the U.S. in 2021. From 2009 to 2018, there were 23 deaths due to human rabies.^1,2

Yes. Cases of rabies have been documented in every state except Hawaii.³ Find out about rabies in your area.

Globally, dogs account for most human rabies deaths, contributing up to 99% of all rabies transmissions to humans. However, thanks to successful pet vaccination programs and other measures, rabies among dogs in the US has been almost eradicated. The bigger threat of rabies exposure in the U.S. comes from wildlife: bats, skunks, foxes, and raccoons.^4,5

At the onset, an animal may exhibit behavioral changes-appearing anxious, aggressive, or more friendly than normal. As rabies progresses, the animal may develop hypersensitivity to light and sound, experience seizures, and/or become vicious. In the final stages, as the disease paralyzes the nerves that control the head and throat, the animal will hypersalivate and lose the ability to swallow. Eventually, the animal experiences respiratory failure and dies. Read about the warning signs of animals that may have rabies.³

Although standard care is important and vaccines are critical, evidence suggests that alone they may not be enough. For previously unvaccinated persons, the CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) recommend a human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) be administered at the same time as the rabies vaccine. The most common causes of postexposure prophylaxis failures include when rabies immune globulin (RIG) is not used or is administered incorrectly.^4,6,7

Humans are an end host for rabies. Other than through transplantation, there are no confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission of the virus. This includes transmission from patients to healthcare workers.^8,13 Find out how the rabies virus is spread.

Although vaccines can protect for years, they may take weeks to build efficacy. An HRIG like HyperRAB provides critical protection immediately, allowing the vaccine time to establish active immunity.^7,9

If appropriate diagnostic tests indicate the animal that caused the exposure was not rabid, any initiated postexposure prophylaxis measures may be discontinued.⁷

Yes. Bats pose a significant risk. They are one of the most common carriers of rabies in the US. In fact, 70% of human rabies infections in the US are caused by bats.^3,7,10 Read more about bats posing a greater risk for rabies.

Although any mammal can be infected with the rabies virus, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats are the top rabies carriers in the U.S.^3,11

• Find out how Rabies is Transmitted to Pets
• See what wild Animals in the U.S. carry rabies

Here are the 5 steps^7,11

1. Capture the animal if you are able to do so safely and call your local animal control authority
2. Wash the wound with soap and lots of water
3. Have the wound treated and protect against tetanus
4. Call your doctor about postexposure prophylaxis (medicine to protect against rabies infection)
5. Call your health department

HRIG stands for Human Rabies Immune Globulin. It’s a medication that provides immediate immune protection against rabies for people who have not previously been vaccinated. Although vaccines can protect for years, they may take weeks to become effective. An HRIG like HyperRAB^® (rabies immune globulin [human]) allows the vaccine time to establish active immunity.^7,9

The rabies virus can survive a few hours outside the body and a bit longer inside a dead animal’s carcass. However, people generally get rabies from the bite of a (live) rabid animal or when the saliva or brain tissue of a rabid animal contacts a fresh, open wound, or when it touches a person’s eyes, nose, or mouth. Just touching an animal (dead or alive), or coming in contact with the blood, urine, or feces of the animal does not transmit the disease. Rabies virus also becomes noninfectious when it dries out.^7,12,13 Find out how the rabies virus is spread.