Primary sources used for this site.
References
Clinical guidance varies by country. This site summarizes common recommendations and links to authoritative sources.
| Topic | Source |
|---|---|
| Immediate wound cleansing (≥15 minutes), PEP principles | WHO — Rabies: vaccinations & immunization |
| PEP schedule (days 0,3,7,14; day 28 if immune disorders), HRIG use | CDC — Rabies Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) |
| Pre-exposure prophylaxis (2 doses day 0 and 7), risk categories | CDC — Rabies Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) |
| Dog-mediated rabies burden (majority of human cases), fatality once symptomatic | WHO — Rabies fact sheet |
| High-risk countries for dog rabies (importation list) | CDC — High-risk countries for dog rabies (importation) |
| Rabies status by country (up-to-date assessment tool) | CDC — Rabies Status by Country |
| Wildlife reservoirs in the U.S. (bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes) | CDC — Rabies in the United States: Protecting Public Health |
| Examples of rabies-free countries (dogs/cats) recognized for import | Canadian Food Inspection Agency — Countries recognized as rabies free for domestic cats and dogs |
Links
- WHO rabies vaccinations & immunization
- WHO rabies fact sheet
- CDC PEP guidance
- CDC PrEP guidance
- CDC high-risk countries (dog rabies)
- CDC rabies status by country
- CDC U.S. reservoirs / surveillance
- CFIA rabies-free (dogs/cats) list
- Doberman photo: Reba Spike (Flickr), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (File:Doberman (40408318793).jpg).
Image credits
- Aggressive Doberman image: AI-generated photorealistic image created for this site; used to illustrate bite risk (not a diagnostic rabies photo).
- Aggressive Doberman photo: Image source: K9Web (used for illustration on Country Risk page). Ensure you have rights to use this image commercially; replace with your own licensed photo if needed.
- Rabid dog (public domain, CDC/PHIL #2626): Wikimedia Commons
- Dog bite wound (CC BY-SA 2.0): Wikimedia Commons
- Bat image (public domain, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service): Wikimedia Commons
- Rabies virus electron micrograph (public domain, CDC/PHIL #1876): Wikimedia Commons
- Vaccination photo (public domain, CDC/PHIL #9400): Wikimedia Commons
Last updated: 2025-12-24
Image credits (selected)
- Snarling dog photo: “Dog 05-angry.jpg” by Stebunik, licensed CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Bats in flight: “Bats flying (9413217529).jpg” (USFWS/Ann Froschauer), public domain / CC BY 2.0 listing on Wikimedia Commons (PD US FWS).