County kicks off awareness campaign to highlight World Rabies Day
A bite or scratch from a wild animal or unvaccinated pet could put you and your family at risk for rabies. Luckily, there are steps you can take now that can protect both humans and pets from this deadly but preventable virus.
To mark World Rabies Day, the largest event on the global rabies calendar, the County is launching a new rabies awareness campaign featuring educational videos, downloadable graphics and other resources to make it easy for the community to learn more about rabies and spread the word.
“Protecting our community from rabies starts with awareness and action,” said Wake County Commissioner Don Mial. “Vaccinating pets, avoiding contact with wild or unknown animals and seeking medical attention when needed can save lives.”
The Stop Rabies campaign is a collaboration between Wake County Public Health, Wake County Animal Services and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, combining expertise in community health, animal control and wildlife management to ensure residents have the tools and knowledge to stay safe.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease only mammals can contract and transmit. It can infect both animals and humans. If an exposed person or animal is not treated quickly, the virus is almost always fatal. Rabies can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. In North Carolina, rabies is most commonly found in wild animals such as bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes.
Wake County Public Health investigated 1,443 animal bites in 2024, and so far in 2025 have investigated 1,041 cases. These are bite investigations and do not mean the animals tested positive for rabies. Data from 2024 shows the top animals involved include:
- Dogs (1,024)
- Cats (263)
- Bats (115)
- Raccoon (13)
- Fox (6)
- Ferret (1)
From 2015 to 2024, 17 cases of human rabies were documented, two of which were contracted outside of the United States.
“Animals that exhibit symptoms such as unusual aggression or tameness, difficulty walking, staggering or swaying, paralysis, seizures and/or difficulty swallowing should be treated with extreme caution,” says North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Wildlife Health Biologist Miranda Turner. “If you are concerned about how an animal is behaving then alerting the proper authorities is the best thing you can do to make sure you stay safe.”
How to Protect Yourself and Your Pets
- Keep your pets up to date on their rabies vaccines.
- Avoid contact with wild, stray and unknown animals, especially those acting strangely or sick.
- Wash bites or scratches thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes.
- Seek medical care immediately if bitten or scratched by an animal.
- Report stray or suspicious animals to Wake County Animal Control.
World Rabies Day is the biggest event on the global rabies calendar. This year’s theme, “Act Now: You, Me, Community”, highlights the importance of everyone taking responsibility, working together and driving real change.
To learn more about rabies and to access all of the campaign creatives, visit wake.gov/stoprabies.
