Rabies
Rabies is a virus that affects the brain and spinal cord of mammals. It usually affects animals, but infected animals can spread rabies to people.
What you need to know
- Rabies is a viral disease that is deadly if people don't receive medical care before symptoms start.
- Rabies spreads primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal.
- The animals most frequently found with rabies in the U.S. are bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes.
- Around 100,000 Americans are vaccinated against rabies following a potential rabies exposure each year.
- Learn more about rabies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Frequently asked questions
Information for providers and professionals
Rabies examination forms and instructions
Rabies Examination Forms should only be completed by authorized professionals. Appropriate submitters include animal control officer, environmental conservation police officer, health care provider, local health director, police officer, or veterinarian. The person submitting the form will receive the test results and provide consultation about whether the animal should be tested. This form should not be used by the general public.
- Request a Rabies Examination Form (PDF)
- Instructions for submitting specimens for rabies testing (PDF)
Human rabies vaccine recommendations
The State of Connecticut does not need to approve the administration of human rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. This is a clinical decision guided by the CDC’s public health recommendations. The Department of Public Health is available to assist healthcare providers in interpreting public health guidance and consulting with CDC as necessary.
Rabies vaccine recommendations from the CDC
- Rabies Vaccine Recommendations
- Use of a Modified Vaccination Schedule to Prevent Human Rabies
- Use of a Reduced (4-Dose) Vaccine Schedule to Prevent Human Rabies
- Rabies Prevention Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
- Rabies PEP Calculator | Rabies | CDC: Use CDC's rabies PEP calculator to generate and evaluate rabies PEP vaccination schedules based on ACIP recommendations. The tool can help with both an initial PEP schedule and with clinical decision-making if a patient has deviated from the recommended schedule.
Who to contact
- Your local health department
- For help evaluating potential rabies risk. If needed, they will submit wildlife to the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) for rabies testing. If your local health department is closed, call back once they reopen.
- Department of Public Health, Infectious Diseases Branch: 860-509-7994
- For questions about human rabies exposures (e.g. risk assessment, treatment).
- State Public Health Laboratory: 860-920-6662
- For questions about submission of animals involved in human exposures for testing (e.g. packaging, forms).
- The Department of Agriculture, Animal Control Division: 860-713-2506
- For questions about domestic animals (e.g. biting incidents, animal quarantine, animal vaccination).
- The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division: 860-424-3011
- For questions about wildlife (e.g. biting incidents, wildlife management, rehabilitation).
- Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory: 860-424-3738
- For questions concerning submission of animals for rabies testing where there is no significant human exposure (e.g. packaging, forms).
- Please contact your local Police Department if prompt assistance is needed.