World Rabies Day
This coming Monday, September 28 is World Rabies Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about rabies prevention and the importance of protecting both animals and people.
What exactly is rabies and how does it spread?
Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can be spread to people and pets through the bites and scratches of an infected animal
Rabies spread primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. but can also spread when infectious saliva comes into contact with broken skin
Rabies primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to severe brain disease and death if medical care is not received before symptoms start.
What can you do to keep your pets and family safe?
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect your pet against rabies.
Keep your pets’ rabies vaccinations current—even indoor pets can encounter bats or escape outdoors. Bats can possibly enter homes through small openings, chimneys, attics, and open doors. An indoor cat might encounter one inside the house, or a pet could unexpectedly escape outdoors which is why it is important to keep all animals up to date on their rabies vaccine.
Avoid touching or feeding wild animals (they like their space!) and remind children to never approach unfamiliar animal or wildlife.
Supervise your pets when they are outdoors and take precautions to prevent pets from interacting with wildlife.
Reduce opportunities for wildlife encounters by avoiding leaving trash/food outside.
What should I do if my pet or someone I know possibly came in contact with the rabies virus?
If a person is bitten or scratched, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and contact a healthcare provider. Prompt post-exposure treatment can prevent rabies. A healthcare professional can assess your exposure and determine whether rabies post-exposure treatment is necessary.
If your pet has contact with a bat or other potentially rabid animal, avoid handling the wild animal and contact your veterinarian and Inland Fisheries & Wildlife promptly.
If you're unsure whether an exposure occurred, contact a healthcare provider, your veterinarian, or Maine CDC for guidance.
How common is the rabies virus in Maine?
Rabies is also considered endemic in Maine wildlife, meaning the virus is regularly present in wild animal populations throughout the state.
So far in 2026, Maine CDC has confirmed rabies in 45 animals. The State of Maine provides a rabies tracking dashboard you can access to see if any cases have been reported near you.
Rabies prevention is an important example of the community coming together. When we vaccinate our pets, we are doing more than protecting an individual animal. By staying up to date on your pets vaccinations you are helping to reduce the risk of rabies transmission in your local community. This small action helps protect your families, pets, veterinary teams, and the wider community.
At Maine Animal Health Alliance, we're proud to support Maine pets and their families through preventative veterinary care, including rabies vaccination.
This World Rabies Day, take a moment to check your pet's vaccination records and schedule an appointment if they're overdue. #WorldRabiesDay #RabiesPrevention
