Rabies on the Rise in Vermont: What You Need to Know 

Cases on the rise in Vermont

Rabies is a deadly viral brain disease that has seen a steady increase in Vermont since 2020, with a 50% jump between 2023 and 2024. While there haven't been any human cases in Vermont in recent years, 57 animals have tested positive in 2024 alone, including a pet rabbit. Health officials warn that encounters with rabid animals can occur in the woods or even near your home. Patsy Kelso of the Vermont Department of Health says, "We often get calls about someone who wakes up to find a bat in their bedroom. It happens more often than you think."¹ 
In response to the rising rabies rates, the state has taken measures to curb the disease, including dropping 300,000 rabies vaccine baits this year. To protect your pets, health officials recommend ensuring they are licensed and vaccinated against rabies and having a plan in case of a bite.¹  

What is Rabies?

Rabies is a viral disease that primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to severe brain disease. Once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal.²

How is Rabies Spread?

Rabies is spread when an infected animal bites or scratches another animal or human.² The virus can also be spread when saliva from an infected animal comes into contact with an open cut or the eyes, nose, or mouth of a person or animal.³

What are the Signs of Rabies? 

Animals with rabies may exhibit various signs, including³: 

• Fearfulness
• Aggression
• Excessive drooling
• Difficulty swallowing
• Staggering
• Paralysis
• Seizures

Wild animals with rabies may lose their natural fear of humans and display unusual behavior, such as wandering around in the daytime when they are typically nocturnal.³

What Should I Do if I've Been Exposed to Rabies? 

If you think you've been exposed to rabies, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately. Medical care following a rabies exposure is called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PEP includes wound care, a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG), and a series of rabies vaccines. PEP is nearly 100% effective if administered promptly.²

How Can I Protect Myself and My Pets from Rabies? 

Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and your pets from rabies³: 

• Vaccinate your pets: Ensure your pets are up-to-date on their rabies vaccines    
• Keep wildlife wild: Avoid contact with wildlife, and teach children to do the same  
• Supervise pets outdoors: Keep cats and ferrets indoors, and supervise dogs when they are outside  
• Report stray animals: Call animal control to remove stray animals from your neighborhood  
• Bat-proof your home: Take steps to prevent bats from nesting in your home or other structures