No cases were reported from the District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, Vermont, and the Virgin Islands. Rabies in Wildlife. Seventy-three percent of all wildlife rabies cases reported for 1981 occurred in skunks. The 4,480 cases represent the most cases of skunk rabies ever recorded. Thirty-two states reported cases, mostly in the Central and Pacific regions of the United States.
Bats continue to be the most widely distributed animal host for rabies.
Forty-six states reported a total of 858 cases, the largest number of cases ever recorded. Thirteen states reported raccoon rabies. The total of 481 cases is the second largest number ever reported. Virginia reported 102 cases of raccoon rabies, second only to Georgia, which had 172 cases. Twenty-six states reported cases.