Rabies remains a real threat, but with constant vaccination and surveillance It can be kept at bay. Local governments, international organizations, and health entities have implemented new measures in recent weeks to protect the public and pets.
From door-to-door campaigns to aerial launches of vaccine baits, including response protocols and stricter travel rules, the map of measures shows a shared objective: to break the chain of contagion and prioritize prevention as main barrier against rabies.
Mandatory vaccinations and advice in North Carolina
Wake County reminds that, according to the General Statute 130A-185 In North Carolina, all dogs, cats, and ferrets over four months old must be vaccinated against rabies. The rule emphasizes that this disease, which is viral in origin and transmitted by bites or scratches, is almost always fatal once it reaches the central nervous system, so following the pattern is essential for public health.
Authorities emphasize daily habits that reduce risks: preventing pets from wander unsupervised, report stray animals to animal control and sterilize companion animals to prevent strays and unwanted contact.
In the case of cats, there is an insistence on keeping them indoors to minimize contact with wildlife. Initiatives such as Cats Indoors! point out that the domestic cat is the more exposed to infection in urban and peri-urban environments.
Rabies vaccination is a safe and accessible tool, and remains the only effective defense before the onset of symptoms. More resources and materials are available on the official website: wake.gov/stoprabies.
Binational campaign on the Andean border: Peru and Bolivia
Peru and Bolivia carried out a canine vaccination campaign in the area of Kasani with the support of PAHO, PANAFTOSA and ORAS-CONHU. The activity, framed within the Cooperation between Countries for Health Development project, reinforces the cross-border coordination to eliminate canine rabies.
The Puno region reports coverage of 84,3% with 143.602 vaccinated dogs, and has maintained zero cases of canine and human rabies since 2023. In addition, Peru delivered 2.500 doses of canine rabies vaccine to Bolivia to strengthen cooperation and accelerate the closing of gaps in priority areas.
With the goal of protecting the binational axis, we seek to achieve the 100% coverage in Kasani, Desaguadero, and Tilali. These actions are aligned with PAHO’s regional objective of eliminate human rabies transmitted by dogs for 2030.
The United States deploys oral vaccination in wildlife.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is intensifying its strategy with aerial releases of vaccine baits in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, following previous phases in Maine, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
The operation, coordinated by APHIS, uses the oral vaccine RABORAL V-RG, encapsulated in sachets with fishmeal attractant. In rural areas, baits are distributed from airplanes, and in urban or suburban environments, by helicopters and ground vehicles to contain the interspecies transmission.
Surveillance confirms circulation of the virus in wildlife: in 2024, Virginia recorded 352 positive animals (148 raccoons), and West Virginia 19 cases, with several raccoons involved. In 2022, raccoons were predominant in Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina, while in Tennessee they were the skunks the most affected.
Authorities emphasize safety guidelines: occasional contact with baits does not transmit the disease, but it is recommended not to manipulate them and, if essential, relocate them with gloves or towelIf a dog ingests several baits, it may experience mild gastrointestinal upset without long-term consequences; in humans, simply washing the area with warm water and soap.
Public health experts stress that the measure complements the call to avoid contact with wildlife and keep your pets’ vaccinations up to date. The October activities close out the program’s annual calendar.
Haiti strengthens canine vaccination and epidemiological surveillance
Haiti has activated campaigns and a strengthened surveillance system with support from PAHO following several recent incidents. In 2025, four human cases, in a context with more than 8.000 suspicions investigated in dogs since 2022, of which 1.100 were classified as probable and 46 confirmed by laboratory.
Rapid response teams, including those called labo-moto who travel through communities on motorcycles, investigate exposures, and recommend targeted interventions, including mass vaccinations in at-risk areas.
In August, a campaign was launched to immunize 140.000 dogs in four departments: Artibonite, Centre, Northeast and Northwest. More than 480 veterinary assistants were trained in 240 teams that record doses in real time using a aplicación móvil.
The operational goal is to achieve coverage of 80% to reduce the spread of the virus. Globally, rabies causes an estimated 59.000 deaths annually, with 40% of cases in children; in the Americas, human cases transmitted by dogs have been reduced by 98% since 1983, thanks to sustained vaccination.
Ceuta implements the Contingency Plan and prioritizes animal welfare
After a confirmed case in the city, the DAUBMA association conveyed peace of mind: there will be no indiscriminate euthanasiaThe competent department indicated that exceptions are only contemplated if the current protocol so provides.
The Autonomous City follows the Contingency Plan for the Control of Terrestrial Rabies in Spain (2023): : surveillance has been reinforced in the areas where the infected animal was located, with the support of the Civil Guard, SEPRONA (National Health Service), and the Local Police.
For stray or ownerless animals, a 21-day observationIf they do not present clinical signs and are not claimed, vaccination and a basal antibody titer, with active follow-up in an authorized center for up to two years.
The hiring of two veterinarians and two caregivers additional to control feline colonies and monitor possible exposures in wildlife, in addition to meetings with animal protection entities to ensure transparency and coordination.
Travel requirements and high incidence: the case of the Dominican Republic
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) includes Dominican Republic on its list of high incidences of rabies, which implies stricter rules for the entry and exit of dogs into that country.
CDC warns of the presence of the virus, including canine variant, and limited vaccine availability and a robust national control program. Local professionals report that, following the closure of the Anti-Rabies Center, vaccination coverage would have fallen to between 20% and 30%.
Despite additional airline restrictions, the import process remains active. Key requirements include: previous microchip to vaccination, complete CDC forms and proof of serology of antibodies processed in reference laboratories in Kansas with lead times of about eight weeks.
For dogs from high incidence countries and older than six months, the certificate must be digitally endorsed by the USDA, indicate age, microchip number and current rabies vaccination administered after microchipping. It is recommended to travel with three copies of the file for possible requests from airlines or authorities.
Dominican health authorities report regular days with the purchase of around two million doses annually and more than half a million animals vaccinated, in addition to >80 hospitals with human vaccine for exhibitions. Each year, 33.000-35.000 people after bites, with an investment of more than 110 million pesos.
Practical tips for homes and communities
- Keep up to date rabies vaccination of dogs, cats and ferrets.
- Avoid the contact with wildlife and do not handle unknown animals.
- Do not allow pets wander unsupervised; report stray animals.
- If you find a vaccine bait, do not touch it; if it needs to be moved, use gloves and take it to dense vegetation.
- For trips, plan ahead serology, CDC certificates and requirements.
The latest institutional movements confirm the same direction: vaccinate, monitor and coordinateFrom local laws and binational operations to oral vaccinations for wildlife and travel requirements, the joint effort seeks to reduce human exposure and protect pets, strengthening an effective health barrier against rabies where it persists.