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Statistics on Rabies

Statistics on rabies indicate that 7,437 cases of the disease were reported among animals in the United States during 2001. Nearly 40 percent of these cases were found in raccoons -- more than any other animal. In the U.S., there was only one case of rabies reported in humans during 2001. Other statistics on rabies indicate that domestic animals accounted for 6.8 percent of all rabid animals in 2001.

 

Overall Statistics on Rabies

In 2001, 7,437 cases of rabies were reported in the United States. Raccoons accounted for almost 40 percent of reported cases among animals. There was one case of rabies in humans during 2001 and three cases in 2002.
 
Forty-nine states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico reported the 7,437 cases of rabies in animals. Hawaii is the only state that has never reported an indigenously acquired rabies case, in humans or animals.
 
The total number of reported rabies cases increased by 0.92 percent from those reported in 2000 (7,369 cases).
 

Statistics on Rabies in Wild Animals

Wild animals accounted for 93 percent of reported cases of rabies in 2001. The wild animals in which rabies was reported included:
 
  • Raccoons (37.2 percent of all animal cases during 2001)
  • Skunks (30.7 percent)
  • Bats (17.2 percent)
  • Foxes (5.9 percent)
  • Other wild animals, including rodents and lagomorphs (0.7 percent).
     
Reported cases in raccoons and foxes decreased 0.4 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively from the totals reported in 2000. Reported cases in skunks and bats increased 2.6 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively from the totals reported in 2000.
 
Outbreaks of rabies infections in terrestrial mammals like raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes are found in broad geographic regions across the United States.
 
(Statistics on Rabies Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD