CDC Health Advisory: Nationwide Increase in Reported Human Rabies Exposures: Rabies Post-exposure Prophylaxis Administration

On September 10, CDC issued a Health Advisory on increases in reported human exposures to rabies and provided guidance for appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis for animal bites. In San Francisco, rabid bats are reported every year — there have been two rabid bats reported in 2026 to date and six in 2025. The last case of rabies in San Francisco in an animal that was not a bat was in 1941.

• Clinicians should report all animal bites that occur in San Francisco by calling SF Animal Care and Control at 415-554-9400 and completing an animal bite report.
  • Forms can also be filled out and emailed to SFACCBiteReport@sfgov.org.
• Clinicians can call SFDPH Communicable Disease 24/7 at 628-217-6100 if they have questions about whether rabies post-exposure prophylaxis is indicated in a San Francisco resident or about rabies epidemiology in San Francisco.
• Clinicians should be familiar with CDC rabies post-exposure prophylaxis guidance and ensure proper administration of rabies vaccine and human rabies immune globulin (HRIG).

View or sign up for SFDPH Health Alerts, Advisories, and Updates at sf.gov/healthalerts