Department of Public Health - Acute Communicable Disease Control

Rabies

Over the last 100 years, rabies in the United States has changed dramatically. More than 90% of all animal cases reported annually to CDC now occur in wildlife; before 1960 the majority were in domestic animals. The principal rabies hosts today are wild carnivores and bats. The number of rabies-related human deaths in the United States has declined from more than 100 annually at the turn of the century to one or two per year in the 1990's. Modern day prophylaxis has proven nearly 100% successful. In the United States, human fatalities associated with rabies occur in people who fail to seek medical assistance, usually because they were unaware of their exposure.

ACIP HUMAN RABIES PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS - The human rabies prevention recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices describing the use of a reduced (4 dose) vaccine schedule for post exposure prophylaxis to prevent human rabies is available at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr5902.pdf. These recommendations update the 2008 recommendations and 1) provide updated information on human and animal rabies epidemiology; 2) summarize the evidence regarding the effectiveness, immunogenicity, and safety of rabies biologics; 3) present cost-effectiveness of rabies postexposure prophylaxis and 4) present recommendations for rabies pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis.

News and Updates:

LAC DPH News Release -Rabid Bats More Common During Summer and Fall - Contracting Rabies is Almost Always Fatal and All Human or Pet Contact with Bats Should be Reported (7-25-23)
LAC DPH News Release - Potential Rabies Exposure at Malibu Cafe/Calamigos Ranch - Anyone who came in contact with a bat at this site should call their doctor for an evaluation (6-10-22)
Animal Bites and Rabies Risk Reference Poster see on the right (1-6-14)
Rabies: Which Patients Need Post-Exposure Prophylaxis? (1-6-14)
CDPH Rabies Brochure (10-6-11)
Health Advisory: Avoid Contact with Bats (7-22-11)
Presentation: Bites, Bats and Being Safe - Dr. Emily Beeler, DVM (3-18-11)
Press Release: Increase in Rabid Bats Found in LA County Prompts Concern (11-17-10)
The Public's Health Newsletter: Human Rabies Article (Feb 08): Update as mentioned above
Animals and Rabies in Los Angeles County
Human Rabies Death in L.A. County: First Human Case in 30 Years (2005 Special Study)
Canine Rabies Importation into L.A. County (2004 Special Study)
ACDC: A Manual of Departmental Rules, Regulations and Control Procedures
- LAC Report Form: Human Rabies Case Report: DHS 8526

Additional Resources