CDC issues advisory on increased reports of rabies exposures

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sept. 10 released an advisory on a nationwide increase of reported human exposures to rabid or possibly rabid animals and rabies post-exposure prophylaxis administration errors. The CDC said it received 17% more rabies-related inquiries from July through August this year — including reports of mass exposure events — compared to the same period in 2025. The agency said that weekly pharmacy data as of Sept. 2 showed that utilization for the two rabies vaccines and two rabies immunoglobulins licensed in the U.S. increased by an estimated 33% and 76%, respectively, compared with the same period last year. The advisory includes recommendations for clinicians and healthcare facilities on rabies treatment and appropriate rabies PEP assessment and administration.