How common is rabies?

Globally, there were an estimated 59,000 human deaths from rabies in 2018. Most of these deaths (95%) occurred in Africa and Asia.

In the United States, rabies is a rare disease, with only 1-3 human cases reported each year. However, rabies is more common in some parts of the world than others, including parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

In India, rabies is a major public health problem. It is estimated that there are 20,000 human deaths from rabies in India each year.

In Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, rabies is very rare or has been eliminated altogether.

The risk of getting rabies depends on several factors, including:

- The geographic area you are visiting or living in

- The activities you are doing (such as traveling, hiking, or camping)

- The type of animals you may come into contact with (such as wild or stray animals, or pets that have not been vaccinated against rabies)

Rabies is a deadly disease, but it is also preventable. If you are traveling to an area where rabies is common, talk to your doctor or a travel health clinic about getting vaccinated against rabies.