Which Rabies Vector Species Are You?

Rabies is a viral disease that infects the central nervous systems of mammals. Although any mammal can be infected with and spread rabies, vector species are those that are primarily responsible for maintaining the virus in nature. The rabies virus is found in the saliva and brain tissue of infected animals, and is most commonly spread via bites from an infected animal. In the United States, over 90% of rabies cases occur in wildlife, with the remainder occurring in domestic animals like dogs, cats and cattle. Human cases are rare, with only 1 to 3 cases reported in the U.S. annually. The majority of human infections acquired in the U.S. are from exposure to bats, which are the most frequently reported rabid wildlife species. Take the quiz to find out which rabies vector species you are!

Rabies is a major public health issue, as it is almost always fatal in people and causes more than 59,000 human deaths each year worldwide. Globally, contact with rabid dogs is implicated in over 90% of human rabies exposures and 99% of human rabies deaths. In these regions, the disease is preventable with vaccination, specifically vaccination programs to control rabies in dogs. High rates of rabies vaccinations in dogs living in the U.S. is the major reason we see so few human cases here. Many global organizations are currently working together to prevent and control rabies, with the goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030.