Nationwide Increase in Reported Human Rabies Exposures: Rabies Post-exposure Prophylaxis Administration
September 10, 2026
CDC Health Advisory
Summary
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory in response to recent reports of increases in human exposures to rabid or possibly rabid animals and rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) administration errors. Since July 2026, multiple United States jurisdictions have reported local increases in human rabies exposures involving known rabies vectors or animals in which rabies is less commonly reported. Several high-profile rabies outbreaks and mass rabies exposure events have highlighted the importance of performing careful rabies risk assessments and following evidence-based recommendations for administering PEP. Health departments can help clinicians who provide rabies vaccination in their jurisdictions stay aware of the importance of rabies risk assessments before administering PEP. Clinicians and healthcare facilities can work to make sure that PEP is administered only when appropriate and that human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and rabies vaccines are administered according to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations.
For more information visit CDC Health Alert Network or the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department at www.ohiocountyhealth.com See less
Full HAN located in the Health Alert Page.
Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department
1500 Chapline Street, Room 106
Wheeling, WV 26003
(Get Directions)
Howard Gamble, MPH, LHA
Administration
(304) 234-3682
(304) 830-0420
[email protected]
Mark Kennedy, LPN
Nursing
(304) 234-3682
[email protected]
Lock Johnson, RS
Chief Inspector-Environmental
(304) 234-3682
[email protected]
Savannah Lowe, MS, RD, LD
Nutrition Director
(304) 234-3888
[email protected]
Wayland Harris, EMT-P
Threat Preparedness Director
(304) 234-3682
[email protected]
Amy Martinkosky, BS, MA, MD
Project HOPE Coordinator
(304) 234-3682
(740) 312-5777
[email protected]
Faith Gandy, MPH
Regional Epidemiologist
(304) 234-3682
[email protected]
Posted 10/06/26
WHEELING, WV –Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department is announcing that a bat has tested positive for rabies. The bat was found near Rt. 88 between GC&P Road and Bells Lane in Ohio County. The bat was collected from private property on October 2, 2026. The positive result was confirmed on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. This is the third laboratory confirmed animal rabies case in Ohio County. Additional cases have also been reported in southern portion of Brooke County. The Wheelin...
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