Skip to main content
Contact Us

An official State of Nevada site. The Office of State Epidemiology works in partnership with:

Circle with an x in the middle

Close

Alert Icon

For information on the recent 2024 bird flu outbreak in dairy cows,

Click Here

Rabies

Transmission

Rabies is a deadly but preventable disease caused by a virus. It is typically spread to people and animals through the saliva of infected animals, usually transmitted via bites or scratches. In the U.S., wild animals like bats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and skunks are common carriers. In the U.S., bats are of particular concern for spreading rabies because bat bites or scratches can be so small that a person may not realize they’ve been scratched or bitten. 

Globally, stray dogs are a significant source of rabies transmission, however, most cases of rabies are found in wild animals. 

Symptoms

Once a person or animal starts showing symptoms of rabies, the disease is almost always fatal.   

In Animals 

All mammals are susceptible to rabies. Common symptoms in animals include: 

  • Fearfulness (acting scared) 
  • Aggression 
  • Excessive drooling 
  • Difficulty swallowing 
  • Staggering 
  • Paralysis (loss of movement in the body) 
  • Seizures 

In Humans 

Early symptoms resemble the flu (fever, headache, nausea). Later stages may include: 

  • Agitation, anxiety, confusion 
  • Delirium, hallucinations, and insomnia 
  • Hypersalivation and hydrophobia (fear of water) 
  • Seizures 

Risk Factors

Higher risk of exposure to rabies is associated with: 

  • Travel to areas where rabies is common 
  • Occupational exposure (veterinarians, lab workers, animal control workers, etc.) 
  • Participation in certain leisure activities that may lead to contact with wild animals (spelunking, hunting, etc.) 

Prevention

Human cases of rabies in the U.S. are rare thanks to prevention efforts. The best ways you can prevent rabies are to: 

  • Vaccinate pets: Ensure pets like dogs, cats, and ferrets are up-to-date on their rabies vaccines. 
    • Make sure that your children are taught how to approach pets to reduce any chance of being bit. If you notice stray animals or animals that look sick, make sure to contact your local animal control.   
  • Avoid wild animals: When possible, enjoy wildlife from a distance and avoid direct contact with wild animals. Never keep wild animals as pets and do not feed wild animals. Keep your pets from coming into contact with wildlife to prevent bites or scratches from potentially infected wildlife. If you come across injured or dead wild animals, click here to report to Nevada Department of Wildlife 
  • Secure homes: Secure your home by blocking small entry points – bats can squeeze through cracks as tiny as ¼ inch. For more detailed guidance on bat-proofing your home, check out the CDC’s recommendations.  
  • Pre-exposure vaccination: If you work in a high-risk occupation or are planning travel to areas where rabies is common, consider talking to a healthcare provider about the rabies vaccine. 

If You’re Exposed

If you come into contact with a potentially rabid animal, contact your healthcare provider immediately. They will consult with local public health authorities to help you decide if you need treatment to prevent rabies.  

You should contact your healthcare provider immediately if you’ve been bitten or scratched by an animal. You should also contact your healthcare provider right away in instances when you’re not sure if you had contact with an animal or not (such as finding a bat in your bedroom). 

Depending on the type of exposure you experienced, different steps can be taken to help determine your risk:   

  • Pets (cats, dogs, ferrets): Can be quarantined for observation for 10 days. 
  • Wild animals: Can be euthanized and tested for rabies, if caught. 
    • Nevada Department of Wildlife: The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) is the state agency responsible for the restoration and management of fish and wildlife resources, and the promotion of boating safety on Nevada’s waters. Learn more at: https://www.ndow.org  
    • Report Sick or Dead Wildlife: If you find an animal in your backyard or neighborhood that you believe to be ill or has died due to an illness please report them to us. When you report please include as detailed a location as possible, the species, the number of animals, and any other information you think might be important. Learn more at: https://www.ndow.org/blog/living-with-wildlife-diseases/  
  • Unknown animal exposure: Local public health authorities can help determine the need for treatment. 
    • Nevada Department of Agriculture: The mission of the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) is to preserve, protect and promote Nevada Agriculture. Learn more at: https://agri.nv.gov 

Post-Exposure Treatment

Treatment for rabies exposures might include the following: 

  1. Wound Care: If you’ve been bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. 
  1. Seek Medical Care Immediately: Immediate medical attention is crucial after any animal bite or scratch. Even if you don’t have a visible bite/scratch but you may have been exposed to a potentially rabid animal, medical care is advised. 
  1. Human Rabies Immune Globulin (HRIG): If your healthcare provider determines it is recommended, they will administer HRIG around the wound to prevent the virus from spreading (for unvaccinated individuals). Health care providers are encouraged to consult with the Local Public Health Authority in their area if there is any uncertainty regarding the need for HRIG. 
  1. Rabies Vaccine: If your healthcare provider determines it is recommended, they will administer a series of four injections over 14 days for unvaccinated people (previously vaccinated people receive two injections, and sometimes people with weakened immune systems receive five). 

Conclusion

Rabies is preventable with prompt treatment, and prevention strategies. Vaccinations and responsible behavior around animals can significantly reduce the risk of rabies.

Reporting

For information on how to report a disease click here. For any questions, please contact the appropriate health authority by phone or review the website for additional information.

Carson City, Douglas and Lyon Counties
Carson City Health & Human Services (CCHHS)
(775) 887-2190
Website

Clark County
Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD)
(702) 759-1300
Website

Churchill, Mineral, Eureka and Pershing Counties
Central Nevada Health District (CNHD)
(775) 866-7535
Website

Washoe County
Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH)
(775) 328-2447
Website

All Other Counties
Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH)
(775) 400-0333
Website

Resources