Care for MI Enviromental Health Newsletter

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The Rabid Report
Rabies is a deadly but preventable viral disease. The virus infects the central nervous system causing brain disease and then death. People and pets can be infected if they are bitten by an infected mammal. In Michigan, rabies primarily circulates among wild bats and skunks. The number of rabies-related human deaths in the U.S. decreased from more than 100 per year in the early 1900’s to 1-3 cases per year currently. The decrease in human rabies cases is related to pet vaccination, animal control programs, public health surveillance and testing and development of effective treatments. In Michigan, there was an average of 53 animal rabies cases per year from 2019-2023. About 85% of Michigan rabies-positive animals are bats.
For more rabies information and data go to EZID's rabies page and the MiTracking Data Portal. For questions about a person exposed to rabies, contact your local health department. For questions about an animal or pet exposed to rabies, contact your animal control office or your local veterinarian.
For questions about this program, contact:
Sarah Scheitler, ScheitlerS@Michigan.gov
Michigan.gov/EnvioHealth