#rabies

"As rabies seems to be spreading more in wildlife, veterinarians are especially worried about vaccine hesitancy spreading among pet owners, a dangerous trend that could lead to more dogs — and their owners — becoming infected. A 2023 study published in the journal Vaccine found in a nationally representative sample of Americans that nearly 40% believed canine vaccines were unsafe and 37% believed that vaccines could lead their dogs to develop cognitive issues, such as autism."

"A Chicago dog tested positive for rabies by direct fluorescent antibody testing on December 19 at the IDPH Chicago Lab. The test was repeated and the repeat test was also positive. This is the first rabid dog in the state since 1994 and the first rabid dog in Cook County since 1964. This dog was younger than a year old and was adopted by a Chicago household from a Chicago rescue. The dog was from a litter of puppies from a Florida rescue group in May 2025.

The dog had behavioral issues throughout its life which got worse on December 16. Behaviors included growling, snapping, increased barking and anxiety. The dog was rabies vaccinated and rabies was not suspected. Due to the dog's behavior, it was euthanized on December 18. Because the dog had bitten someone on December 11 and per state law, it must be held for 10 days or tested for rabies. It was tested for rabies and found to be rabies positive.

Currently the source of rabies for the dog is under investigation. Strain typing to determine whether the strain is fox, bat, or raccoon strain is being conducted. This will help direct efforts in determining a source. The Illinois owners reported no known exposure to wild animals, including bats, while the dog was living with them. Currently bats are the reservoir for animal rabies in the state. The last skunk positive for rabies in Illinois was in 1998 and the last raccoon positive for rabies was in 1983.

The dog was vaccinated for rabies in June 2025. Because the exposure hasn't been identified, it's possible the dog was exposed prior to rabies vaccination.

Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are evaluating any people in contact with the dog to determine if post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be recommended for any of them. In addition, Cook County Animal And Rabies Control (CCARC) are following-up with the owners of littermates and to dogs that this rabid dog might have been in contact with including at doggy day care. Any dog that is up to date on rabies vaccination and was in contact with the infected dog should get a booster rabies vaccination and be held at home quarantine for 45 days with close monitoring for any symptoms suggestive of rabies.

The incubation period for rabies is typically from 20 to 60 days but can be up to one year. Symptoms of rabies in animals include aggression, restlessness, hypersensitivity, excessive slobbering, lethargy, weakness, inability to raise their head or make sounds and hydrophobia.

The situation provides a reminder that pre-exposure rabies vaccination in veterinarians and their staff helps protect them against unknown rabies exposures and reduces the number of vaccines needed for post-exposure treatment. It is also a reminder of the importance of keeping pet rabies vaccinations up to date to reduce the risk of rabies."

Additional source here.

A horse just passed from aggressive rabies in Thatcher, AZ, and they couldn't euth it because it tried to attack anyone who came near, so it died in agony - they also couldn't shoot it to put it out of its misery because brain tissue has to be preserved for analysis by the state, and potential blood/brain matter spray from that method of death creates a rabies vector biohazard that can infect anyone or anything it comes in contact with. PLEASE make sure any animals you have that can have a rabies vaccine get it. It's a fairly inexpensive vaccine, and the peace of mind and protection it provides is worth it. Putting more description and the video of the horse under a readmore, all the content warnings, this video is truly horrifying, but I feel it is important for media evidence of what rabies can do to be out there for better information.