MDARD, MDHHS, and MDNR Recognize World Rabies Day, September 28

You, me, community: Every Michigander has a role to play in protecting against rabies

LANSING, Mich. — Together, the Michigan Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and Natural Resources (MDNR) are recognizing World Rabies Day, a day devoted to raising awareness about rabies and its prevention. Rabies is a highly fatal viral disease that can affect all mammals including humans, and every Michigander has a role to play in protecting both animals and people from this disease.

"One way to limit the spread and impact of rabies in Michigan is to ensure domestic animals are currently vaccinated against the disease,"  said State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland, DVM, MS, DACVPM. "Highly safe and effective vaccines are available to protect dogs, cats, ferrets, horses and other animals from this virus. Working with your veterinarian to ensure your animals are up to date on their rabies vaccination not only helps to safeguard their health but also your own. Healthy animals lead to healthy people."

Exposure to rabies most often occurs when the saliva or neural tissue from a rabid animal enters a healthy body through a bite, wound or some other means. For example, animals could be exposed if they are found playing with, eating or sharing items with a wild animal. Most wild animals are not rabid, but keep in mind that rabid animals do not always display outward signs of illness. When a person or an animal is exposed to the virus, there are protocols and procedures in place to ensure the disease does not spread.

"Rabies prevention is truly a community effort,"  said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the State of Michigan. "Vaccinating pets, making sure pets and people avoid contact with wild animals and seeking prompt medical care after a possible exposure are simple but critical steps each of us can take to limit the spread of rabies. By protecting ourselves and our animals, we're also protecting our families, neighbors and communities."

Keeping one s distance from wildlife can also help prevent exposure to rabies. In Michigan, rabies is most commonly found in bats throughout the state and in skunks from the southeastern region of the state, but the disease can affect other species of mammals like raccoons and foxes. In 2024, 48 bats in Michigan were confirmed to have the disease, and as of September 19, 2025, 34 cases of rabies in bats were confirmed this year. Detections of rabies in Michigan's domestic animals do occur, with the most recent cases being in a kitten from Oakland County in 2022 and a dog from Wayne County in 2021.

"Bats are an incredibly important part of our natural ecosystems and only a small percentage of them carry the rabies virus,"  said DNR State Wildlife Veterinarian Scott Larsen. "However, bats that come into contact with people and domestic animals are more likely to be sick and have the rabies virus than those in the general bat population, so exposure to these bats should be taken seriously."

Rabies is a complex disease that requires a comprehensive response. MDARD, MDHHS and MDNR are united in their commitment to investigate rabies cases, take action to prevent its spread, and equip the public as well as animal health professionals with the knowledge and resources needed to identify, test, and protect against this virus. Together, we can all create a healthier and safer Michigan.

For more information on World Rabies Day, please visit the Global Alliance for Rabies Control's website. For more on rabies in Michigan, visit michigan.gov/rabies.

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