Recent incidents involving rabid animals and humans, along with a health advisory from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have sparked renewed attention on rabies in the United States. In Maryland, rabid beavers have attacked three people, and in North Carolina, hundreds of individuals were exposed to rabid goats at a petting zoo. The CDC issued a health advisory on 10 September, citing an increase in reports of human exposure to rabid or potentially rabid animals. While experts are unsure whether rabies cases have actually risen, increased awareness is generally seen as a positive for public health. Zak Mertz, CEO of the New England Wildlife Center, emphasized that any attention that helps people understand how to stay safe is beneficial for public health. Historically, rabies was a deadly disease in the U.S., with hundreds of deaths reported annually. However, thanks to vaccines and animal control efforts, deaths from rabies have been reduced to fewer than 10 per year, according to the CDC. Recently, though, there has been a 17% increase in rabies-related inquiries from July to August compared to the same period last year. This includes reports of mass exposure events and an increase in post-exposure prophylaxis treatments, which are medical interventions given after a potential rabies exposure to prevent the disease. In July, a wild skunk entered a pen containing baby goats at a farm in Harmony, North Carolina, according to CNN. Later, when the goats were moved to a petting zoo, hundreds of people interacted with them, some of which may have had rabies. Local health departments monitored those individuals, and many received prophylaxis treatment. No deaths have been reported in connection with this incident. In Maryland, a 13-year-old boy was attacked by a beaver while swimming at a state park. He survived but required multiple surgeries to repair nerve damage to his chest and hands. Experts suggest that such incidents may be due to a combination of factors, including bad luck, as beavers rarely contract rabies and the goats in North Carolina were too young to be vaccinated. Despite medical advancements, rabies remains a deadly disease once symptoms appear. In 2011, Ivy Durant, a woman from South Carolina, died from rabies after being exposed to bats in her home. Her brother, Tonji Durant, a retired CDC epidemiologist, said local officials did not provide her with guidance on how to protect herself, such as seeking medical attention. By the time she was tested, it was too late to treat the disease effectively. Durant believes her sister's death was preventable and highlights the need for better communication between healthcare providers, public health departments, and communities. If a person believes they may have been exposed to a rabid animal, they should contact their healthcare provider or local health department immediately, according to Mertz. Those bitten should wash the wound thoroughly and seek medical attention without delay, advised Davis. "Don't wait; seek help," she emphasized. It is also crucial to ensure that pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations. Davis noted that because rabies is largely under control, it often doesn't receive much public attention, but vigilance remains key to preventing outbreaks.