Rabies Rarely Caused by Cats in USA

Photo: bakroots

Rabies is a fatal disease. It is useful for us to know the major wildlife reservoirs for rabies - meaning what species of animal carry the disease in a specific geographic area and which are the most likely to transmit the disease to people. The table below helps, I hope. It has been compiled from the Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook Third Edition 2008.

It appears to me that cats are very low risk in North America (I am prepared to be corrected). Bats are high risk. It seems that transmission of the disease might take place through airborne aerosols from bats (1). It is obligatory to vaccinate a cat against rabies in the USA and it applies to indoor cats as well.

Place	Major reservoir for rabies - these overlap
Midwest, Southwest and California, USA	Skunk
New England and East, USA	Raccoon
New York, Eastern Canada, Alaska and Southeast, USA	Foxes
Texas, USA	Coyotes and Foxes
Widely distributed in the USA	Bats - 86% of cases between 1980-97 caused by bats. Bats need not bite to transmit the disease it seems.
Outside the USA	Dog or Cat
UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Taiwan, Japan, Hawaii, Mauritius, Barbados and Guam	No Rabies.
Northeastern USA	Raccoon

Note: (1) Wikipedia. I am referring to North America when I say cats rarely cause rabies.