# California breaks 28-year rabies record

> California's rabies cases hit a 28-year high as experts warn of possible nationwide rise.
- Title: California breaks 28-year rabies record · Sfgate | Shortify
- Summary: California's rabies cases hit a 28-year high as experts warn of possible nationwide rise.
- Keywords: california, rabies, cdc, rabies cases, public health, wildlife, post-exposure treatment, rabies vaccine, Sfgate
- Source: Sfgate — https://sfgate.com/bayarea/article/rabies-mystery-california-22494437.php
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: california, rabies, cdc, rabies cases, public health, wildlife, post-exposure treatment, rabies vaccine, news, local
## Raccoons test positive for rabies
Two sick raccoons found in Los Angeles suburbs tested positive for rabies, the first in the county since 1973.

> The animals, found three weeks apart in Westlake Village, are the first raccoons in the county to test positive for rabies since 1973.
## Rabies spreads across species
Rabies virus can infect any mammal, with bat and skunk variants most common in California, but new variants could spread widely.

> Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the nervous system and spreads via the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite.
## CDC reports 76% rise in treatments
CDC data shows a 76% increase in people receiving rabies post-exposure treatments in September 2024.

> In September, the CDC reported a 76% jump in people getting post-exposure treatment for the virus.
## California breaks record
California found 368 rabid animals in 2024, the highest since 1998, with most cases in Southern California.

> At least 368 rabid animals have been found in the state so far this year, the highest since 1998.
## Public health officials warn
California officials say the risk to the public remains low despite the increase in rabies cases.

> Beth Deines, a spokesperson for the California Department of Public Health, said despite the increase in wildlife rabies detection, the risk to the public remains low.
## Rabies variants shift
Raccoons testing positive for bat variant of rabies could indicate a new reservoir host in Los Angeles.

> Wallace confirmed in an emailed statement the two rabid raccoons discovered in SoCal tested positive for the bat variant of the virus, which is a good indication that a new raccoon-specific strain hasn’t arisen in the area.
## National data gaps
CDC data analysis delays mean experts cannot confirm if rabies is actually rising nationwide.

> However, delays in national data analysis mean state and federal experts remain unsure whether this deadly disease is actually on the rise, or where.
## CDC funding cuts
CDC has lost 30% of staff since the start of the Trump administration, delaying rabies data reporting.

> But since the start of the Trump administration, the CDC has dealt with major cuts and lost about 30% of its staff.
## Rabies vaccine sales up
Rabies vaccine sales remained elevated through early October 2024, indicating possible increased exposure.

> Wallace said CDC researchers saw numbers increase dramatically in May and June and said rabies vaccine sales remained elevated through at least early October.
## State vs national trends
States count rabies differently, making it hard to compare national trends across jurisdictions.

> States 'count things in different ways, and it becomes really hard to see actually what’s happening because you end up with sort of an apples-and-oranges comparison state to state,'
## Rabies risk to public
Public health experts advise avoiding contact with wildlife and ensuring pets have up-to-date rabies vaccinations.

> Wallace said people concerned about rabies exposure should never handle dead wildlife and always keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccines.
## Key takeaway

California reported 368 rabid animals in 2024, breaking a 28-year record, with CDC data showing a 76% spike in post-exposure treatments nationwide.