The Top 10 States With the Most Cases of Rabies in America

Rabies is a rare yet fatal viral disease that only affects warm-blooded animals (mammals). There are roughly 4,000 cases of animal rabies in the United States every year. Most cases are from wild animals like raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats. Rabid animals are found in all U.S. states, aside from Hawaii. While many states have only a few positive animal rabies cases a year, these 10 states have the most according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). 

10. Massachusetts

Number of positive animal cases in 2021: 154 

Rabies is common in Massachusetts and about 5,000 animals have tested positive for this disease since 1992. Wild animals like skunks, woodchucks, foxes, and raccoons are responsible for most positive cases in the state. In 2021, Massachusetts had 154 positive animal rabies cases, most of which were from raccoons. Only two cases were from pet cats and the rest were from wildlife. 

9. Georgia

Number of positive animal cases in 2021: 161

Georgia has only had two human rabies cases since 1991 and most positive cases were from wildlife, such as bats and raccoons. However, Georgia has had several cases of rabid dogs and cats too. Rabies is always present in the state’s wildlife, but more cases seem to appear in summer. This is likely because people spend more time outdoors with their pets which increases the risk of being bitten by rabid wildlife. 

8. Maryland

Number of positive animal cases in 2021: 178 

Maryland has the seventh-highest number of positive animal rabies cases in the United States. The state had 178 animals test positive for the disease in 2021, and 20 were from domestic animals. Vaccinating your pets is the only way to prevent them from getting rabies. Like most states, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats were responsible for most cases. Maryland has also had a few positive cases of rabid farm animals and groundhogs. 

7. New Jersey

Number of positive animal cases in 2021: 201

There are roughly 300 cases of rabies in New Jersey every year. The state had 92 positive animal cases in only the first half of 2022 alone. A large number of those cases were caused by rabid raccoons. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 30.3% of raccoons have rabies in the United States. Unvaccinated pet cats make up a lot of New Jersey’s rabid domestic animal cases. 

6. California

Number of positive animal cases in 2021: 220 

Bats and skunks are the main animals that get rabies in California and cause over 90 percent of positive cases. California has very few rabid pet cases because the state is strict about vaccinations. The state requires all dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies when they are three months old. It’s not uncommon for rabid bats to be found inside homes or workplaces where they can bite beloved pets. 

5. New York

Number of positive animal cases in 2021: 237

Rabies is seen among raccoons, bats, foxes, and skunks in New York State. Pets and farm animals can also be affected if they are not vaccinated, and cats are the most common pets diagnosed with the disease. In New York City, rabid animals are found in all five boroughs. New York City hasn’t had any dogs test positive for the disease in over 60 years thanks to strict rabies vaccinations. 

4. North Carolina

Number of positive animal cases in 2021: 248

Rabies has become very common in North Carolina over the last couple of years. The state sees a lot of raccoon-variant rabies in beavers, raccoons, coyotes, wolves, and groundhogs. North Carolina requires all pet cats, dogs, and ferrets to be vaccinated against the disease from three months old. In 2021, North Carolina had 18 positive domestic animal cases, mostly from cats and cattle. 

3. Pennsylvania

Number of positive animal cases in 2021: 287 

Pennsylvania has an average of 350 to 500 animal rabies cases every year. Raccoons are responsible for about 95 percent of cases, followed by bats and skunks. Rabid cats, dogs, and horses are also commonly seen with this disease. Out of the 287 positive animal rabies cases in 2021, 54 were from domestic animals, mostly cats. As pet owners, it is important to protect your beloved pets from this disease by having them vaccinated.

2. Virginia

Number of positive animal cases in 2021: 297 

Virgina has five high-risk rabies animals, including raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, and groundhogs. About 3,000 animals are tested for rabies in the state every year and an average of 9.5% to 13.8% test positive for the disease. Rabies is more common during the summer months because people and their pets spend more time outdoors and near the state’s wildlife. Fairfax County has the most animal rabies cases in the state, mostly from raccoons. 

1. Texas

Number of positive animal cases in 2021: 456 

Animal rabies is very common in Texas, making it the U.S. state with the highest number of positive cases. Bats, skunks, foxes, and raccoons are mainly responsible. Rabies is usually linked to overpopulated wildlife, which is common in most Texas counties. In 2021, Texas had 456 positive animal rabies cases, and domestic animals were among 54 cases. Less than four months into 2024, several counties have reported more rabies cases than they have ever had in recent years.

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