Currently, rabies is probably most prevalent in Russia, Belgium, France, the United States, Africa, Mexico and the lower Americas. In some sections of the United States, rabies is extremely rare. When a Known Rabid Animal Bites a Dog or Cat Unvaccinated dogs and cats bitten by a known rabid animal should be destroyed immediately. If the owner is unwilling to have this done, the animal should be vaccinated and placed in strict isolation for 90 days and given booster vaccinations during the third and eighth weeks of isolation. Most cases in Texas occur in the spring, probably because there are more opportunities for transmissions during the spring mating seasons of wild carnivores.
Rabies does occur through the entire year in Texas in both wild and domestic animals.
Rabies in bats occurs mostly in the warmer months. All warm-blooded animals, including humans, are susceptible to rabies. In Texas, skunks, bats, coyotes, and foxes are the most commonly infected animals. This does not mean that wildlife eradication campaigns should be started. Wild species are highly beneficial in keeping pests under control, but it is wise to realize that they can carry rabies, and that contact with them should be avoided at all times-especially with those which are obviously sick.