Rabies exposure surge prompts CDC to urge careful PEP use nationwide
The CDC warns of a nationwide rise in rabies exposures, noting a 17% uptick in rabies-related inquiries from July–August and increased PEP use and management errors across multiple states. A notable mass exposure in North Carolina linked to a mobile petting zoo exposed about 300 people, with 213 advised to receive PEP. The agency emphasizes rapid, guideline-adherent risk assessment and PEP to prevent infection, reminding that rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear but highly preventable with timely treatment. Vaccines and immunoglobulin use are up this year (roughly +33% and +76%), there are no shortages, but unnecessary treatment can raise costs (about $11,000–$14,000 per course).