Exposure to Risk of Rabies in the USA

01 Jun 2017

Media reported on 30 May 2017 multiple recent human exposures to rabies in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana,  Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York North Carolina and  South Carolina.

On these occasions, people have handled or been bitten by variously: bats, a dog, foxes, a raccoon, a sheep and a skunk, all of which tested positive for rabies. The state of Colorado reports that 48 animals have tested positive for rabies in 2017.

Advice for Travellers

The USA is considered by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to be a low risk destination for rabies. Any animal contact in a rabies endemic area poses a potential risk of infection.

For further information see Rabies