What animals get rabies?
Any mammal can get rabies. The most common wild reservoirs of rabies
are raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes, and coyotes. Domestic animals can
also get rabies. Cats, cattle, and dogs are the most frequently
reported rabid domestic animals in the United States. |
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How can I find out what animals have rabies in my area?
Each state collects specific information about rabies, and is the best
source for information on rabies in your area. In addition, the CDC
publishes rabies surveillance data every year for the United States.
The report contains information about the number of cases of rabies
reported to CDC during the year, the animals reported rabid, maps showing
where cases were reported for wild and domestic animals, and distribution
maps showing outbreaks of rabies associated with specific animals. A
summary of the report can be found in the
Epidemiology section of the CDC web site.
What is the risk of rabies from squirrels, mice, rats, and other
rodents?
Small rodents (such as squirrels, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils,
and chipmunks) and lagomorphs (such as rabbits and hares) are almost never
found to be infected with rabies and have not been known to cause rabies
among humans in the United States. Bites by these animals are
usually not considered a risk of rabies unless the animal was sick or
behaving in any unusual manner and rabies is widespread in your area.
However, from 1985 through 1994, woodchucks accounted for 86% of the 368
cases of rabies among rodents reported to CDC. Woodchucks or
groundhogs (Marmota monax) are the only rodents that may be
frequently submitted to state health departments because of suspicion of
rabies. In all cases involving rodents, the state or local health
department should be consulted before a decision is made to initiate PEP.
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