Rabies still a threat in Alabama despite being preventable, health officials warn

ALABAMA (WHNT) — The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is reminding residents to stay alert about rabies after recent reports of the disease in animals across the state, including pets, livestock, and wildlife.

ADPH says rabies remains a serious threat in Alabama, even though it’s completely preventable in humans if treated promptly before symptoms appear. In recent years, rabies cases have been found in horses and bats, discovered in day care centers, stray kittens on college campuses, dogs in rural and suburban neighborhoods and wild animals, like raccoons, foxes, coyotes, skunks and bobcats.

Rabies is a deadly viral infection that affects the central nervous system of mammals. It’s usually spread through the bite of an infected animal, though exposure can also happen through