Rabies
Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. Domestic animals account for less than 10% of the reported rabies cases, with cats, cattle, and dogs most often reported rabid.
Rabies virus infects the central nervous system, causing encephalopathy and ultimately death. Early symptoms of rabies in humans are nonspecific, consisting of fever, headache, and general malaise. As the disease progresses, neurological symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation, difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia (fear of water). Death usually occurs within days of the onset of symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Rabies Frequently Asked Questions document answers the common questions about rabies including what it is, how people contract it, what the symptoms are, seeking medical attention, rabies vaccine, protecting your pet, how to deal with animal bites, and more.
- English: Rabies Factsheet (English)
- Spanish: Rabia Factsheet (Spanish)
Fox Rabies Information Pamphlet
This pamphlet provides information about fox rabies. It explains when you should call someone, who you call, what rabies is and how people get it, rabies exposure details, vaccinations, quick facts, oral baiting, and more.
- English: Fox Rabies Information Pamphlet
- Spanish: Fox Rabia Folleto de Información
Rabies Manual for Investigation
This CD Manual - Rabies provides all the information required to investigate rabies cases including a summary of the disease, mode of transmission, period of communicability, incubation period, diagnosis, prophylaxis, surveillance, control measures, and more.
Rabies State Regulations, National Rabies Compendium & Guidance
The Rabies Compendium 2016 by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians explains national animal rabies prevention and control best practices. The Introduction Letter details what has changed in the 2016 Rabies Compendium compared with the previous version. Veterinarians and animal control officers may refer to the Prospective Serologic Monitoring Guidance for further information on dogs and cats with a rabies exposure but uncertain rabies vaccination history.
NMAC 7.4.2 is the state law that governs animal control and rabies prevention requirements.
Activity in New Mexico
There have been 9 confirmed Animal Rabies Cases in New Mexico in 2024: 2 bobcats in Grant County, 2 more bobcats in Sierra County, and five bats, one in Roosevelt County, one in Bernalillo County, one in Dona Ana County, one in Los Alamos County and one more in Socorro County.
There were 16 Animal Rabies Cases in New Mexico in 2023.
See the following news releases for more information:
- 02/09/2023: Fox tests positive for rabies in Sierra County
- 05/24/2022: Five rabid animals identified in southwest New Mexico
- 02/14/2022: Rabid fox confirmed in Catron County
- 05/04/2020: Department of Health confirms rabid skunks found in De Baca County
New Mexico Case Data
Case data from previous years are archived below for historical reference.
Combined Animal Cases
- Animal Rabies Cases in New Mexico in 2023
- Animal Rabies Cases in New Mexico in 2022
- Animal Rabies Cases in New Mexico in 2021
- Animal Rabies Cases in New Mexico in 2020
- Animal Rabies Cases in New Mexico in 2019
Individual Animal Cases
- Bat Rabies Cases in New Mexico in 2014-2023 by County
- Cat Rabies Cases in New Mexico in 2014-2023 by County
- Dog Rabies Cases in New Mexico in 2014-2023 by County
- Fox Rabies Cases in New Mexico in 2014-2023 by County
- Skunk Rabies Cases in New Mexico in 2014-2023 by County
Learn More
Please visit the CDC's Rabies Information and Rabies Publications pages for comprehensive information about rabies.