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Rabies Information for the Public
Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can be spread to people and pets through the bites and scratches of an infected animal.
Rabies primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to severe brain disease and death if medical care is not received before symptoms start.
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Transmission (Spread)
Rabies is spread when an infected animal bites or scratches other animals or people.
In the U.S., rabies is mostly found in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. But in many other countries, dogs are still carriers of rabies.
The virus is usually carried in saliva or mucus and spreads through broken skin.
Rabies virus is transmitted through direct contact with infectious tissue or fluids. Rabies virus is not transmitted through contaminated objects or materials such as clothes or bedding.
There have been no confirmed instances of human-to-human transmission of rabies virus aside from those attributable to organ and tissue transplantation.
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Prevention
The best way to avoid rabies in the U.S. is to keep your distance from wildlife. Never approach injured animals; instead, contact animal control for assistance, when needed.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (prevention before exposure)
Some people at high risk of exposure may receive rabies vaccination, including those who:
- handle laboratory samples
- handle animals that might have rabies
- frequently come into contact with or spend time near bats
Rabies Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (prevention after exposure)
After potential exposure to rabies, individuals should seek medical attention immediately including:
- Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water
- Receive a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG)
- Receive the first dose of rabies vaccine given at the time of the first medical visit, followed by 3 more deses, given on days 3, 7, and 14 after the first dose.
Rabies Post-exposure Prophylaxis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Pet Owners
Pet owners can lower their risk by keeping pets up to date on rabies vaccines. Michigan law requires that dogs and ferrets must be vaccinated for rabies.
Keep your pets away from wild animals and unfamiliar pets as much as possible.
Rabies (MDHHS Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases)
Preventing Rabies from Bats
Preventing Rabies from Bats (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
International Travelers
Rabies in dogs is still common in many countries outside the United States. Find out if rabies is present in dogs or wildlife at your destination before international travel. When traveling, keep your distance from wild animals and dogs with unknown vaccination histories.
Rabies Prevention and Control (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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Signs and Symptoms
The first symptoms of rabies, called prodrome, may be like the flu, including weakness, discomfort, fever, or headache.
There also may be discomfort, prickling, or an itching sensation at the site of the bite.
These symptoms may last for several days. Severe disease appears within two weeks of the first symptoms, when the rabies virus causes brain dysfunction.
Rabies symptoms in humans may include one or more of the following:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Confusion
- Agitation
- Delirium
- Hallucinations
- Hydrophobia (fear of water)
- Hypersalivation
- Seizures
Once clinical signs of rabies appear, the disease is nearly always fatal
Rabies Symptoms and Specimen Collection (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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Risk of Disease
Rabies is most often a disease of children.
- Children are bitten by animals more often than adults, as children often do not know how to be safe around strange animals.
- Animal bites is one of the top five reasons children are taken to the emergency room in the United States.
- Children are often nipped or scratched by a potentially rabid animal and do not tell their parents.
Current Year Rabies Maps for Michigan
Rabies Positive Animals in Michigan: 2024 (MDHHS Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases)
Previous Year Rabies Maps for Michigan
Rabies Positive Animals in Michigan: 2023 (MDHHS Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases)
Historic Rabies Maps, 2015-2023 (MDHHS Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases)
International Data and Statistics
Rabies Status: Assessment by Country (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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Reporting
Rabies is a notifiable disease. A notifiable disease is one that doctors must report to state or local public health officials.
Public health officials track some diseases because they can spread easily, are serious, or happen often.
Notifiable diseases in Michigan:
Michigan's List of Notifiable Diseases 2025 By Condition
Michigan's List of Notifiable Diseases 2025 By Pathogen -
Questions About
Rabies: Questions and Answers Information About the Disease and Vaccines (immunize.org)
Video: Are you at risk for Rabies? (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Video: Rabies Prevention in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Video: Rabies is 100% preventable (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) -
For More Information
Rabies Information from the State of Michigan
Rabies (MDHHS Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases)
2016 MI Rabies Flowchart (MDHHS Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases)Rabies Vaccination
Rabies: The Disease & Vaccines (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia)
How Vaccines WorkVideo: How Do Vaccines Work? (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Spanish version: ¿Cómo funcionan las vacunas? (American Academy of Pediatrics) -
Access Your Immunization Record
If you have been immunized in the State of Michigan, you may be able to download your immunization record from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR).
Visit the Michigan Immunization Portal to learn more or contact your healthcare provider.