Most human cases in the United States are from bats, Rupprecht says, but one in five bats, at most, has rabies. Animal bites, particularly from bats, aren't always obvious, says Robert S. Baltimore, of the Yale School of Medicine. It might look like a blemish. Seek medical attention if you find a bat in a room with a child. Vaccinate pets regularly.
Dogs there are less apt to be vaccinated.
Avoid wild animals, alive or dead. Leave others alone. Even a vaccinated pet can carry rabies. If your wandering dog returns home looking as if he's been in a fight, it's best to be careful, particularly if his coat is moist. If he fought with a rabid animal, the wet saliva could carry rabies, says Yale expert Robert S. Baltimore.