
09/28/2025
Today is World Rabies Day — a reminder of the importance of protecting both pets and people through prevention and awareness.
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Once the outward signs of the disease appear, rabies is nearly always fatal.
Rabies remains a major concern worldwide, killing tens of thousands of people every year. Almost all of these deaths are due to rabies transmitted by dogs in countries where dog vaccination programs are not sufficiently developed to stop the spread of the virus.
In the United States, it's not unusual for one to two people to die annually. Among animals, there were 3,579 reported cases of rabies in the U.S. in 2022.
You can help prevent rabies infections by vaccinating your animals and keeping them away from wildlife that can spread the disease. Rabies is 100% preventable. Your local veterinary plays a key role in controlling rabies.