How common is rabies in Utah?

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) —  Utah health officials reported a second positive rabies infection in a bat. The case was identified in Millard County.

The first report of a rabies-positive bat in Utah for 2025 was reported in Morgan County. While rabies cases are not uncommon in animals, they are extremely rare in humans, largely because of prevention measures and post-exposure treatment.

The last human case of rabies reported in Utah occurred in 2018. A 55-year-old man was hospitalized with symptoms and died days later in the hospital. Prior to that, the last confirmed human infection was in 1944.

ABC4 looked at numbers maintained by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. In 2022, the latest rabies report available from the state, 333 animals were successfully tested for the virus. Most of those animals were bats, which are the most common carriers of the virus. You can see a breakdown of all the animals tested below. State officials say almost all of these animals potentially exposed a human to the rabies virus.

The Numbers

• 127 bats (38%)
• 85 dogs (26%)
• 67 cats (20%)
• 30 raccoons (9%)
• 4 foxes (1%)
• 3 skunks (1%)
• 17 other species (5%)
  • These species included coyote (2), gopher (2), mink (2), mountain lion (2), beaver (1), bobcat (1), ferret (1), horse (1), otter (1), rabbit (1), rat (1), squirrel (1), and vole (1).

What is Rabies?

Rabies is a preventable virus disease of mammals. It is most often transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. According to the CDC, rabies is almost always deadly in humans once symptoms appear. That’s why people are urged to contact their doctors if they think they have been in contact with a rabid animal. Treatment is available to prevent the disease in exposed humans, but it must be given quickly to be effective. Each year, about 60,000 Americans receive the treatment after exposure. If you’re not sure whether to seek treatment, health officials have a guide.

Where to Seek Treatment?

Experts advise people to call their doctors immediately after potential exposure to a rabid animal. The State of Utah maintains a database of medical facilities with post-exposure prophylaxis treatment.

Prevention

Health officials say one of the most common exposure scenarios in Utah involves campers who stay in cabins that are home to bats. Campers are often referred to doctors for exposure treatment. Dog bites are also a common reason for exposure treatment. Pet dogs, cats and ferrets are required by law in Utah have the rabies vaccine, which scientists agree is one of the best methods for controlling rabies cases in populated areas.