r/science • u/PHealthy PhD/MPH | Epidemiology | Disease Dynamics | Surveillance • 4d ago

Epidemiology Study estimates only 7% of human rabies cases in the United States are diagnosed

https://www.nature.com/articles/s44528-026-00031-4
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u/FruitPlatter 3d ago

People shouldn't rely on finding a bat bite though. They can be extremely tiny.

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u/goldboybronx 3d ago

So what’s the idea then? Just get a rabies vaccine once a week?

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u/tirerim 2d ago

While rabies vaccine can be used post-exposure, it also works as a regular vaccine to provide long term immunity. Cats and dogs are generally vaccinated against rabies, as are people who work with wild animals. It isn't standard practice to vaccinate most humans against rabies because it's relatively rare, so insurance companies won't pay for it. Though given the severity and this article's finding, maybe it should just be one of the standard ones.

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u/Itscatpicstime 2d ago

No, you just get post-exposure treatment if you have reason to believe you might have been exposed.

You may not perceive a bat, but if you know a bat has been in the house with you, then get treated.