Which animals were primarily diagnosed with rabies in the U.S. in 2015?

In 2015, bats, raccoons, and skunks were the primary animals diagnosed with rabies in the U.S. This reflects the established trend in rabies epidemiology, where these species are known to be significant carriers of the rabies virus. Bats are particularly notable as they are frequently involved in the transmission of rabies due to their wide distribution and roosting habits.

Raccoons and skunks are also common reservoirs for the virus, especially in certain geographical areas where their populations are high. This clustering of rabies cases in these wildlife species indicates the importance of monitoring and controlling rabies in these particular populations rather than in domestic animals like dogs and cats, which have seen a significant decline in rabies cases due to effective vaccination programs.

While dogs and cats can contract rabies, the number of cases in domestic pets has dropped significantly compared to wildlife. Similarly, livestock such as cattle and horses, as well as smaller farm animals like sheep and goats, report very few rabies cases overall. This data emphasizes the role that specific wild animal reservoirs play in the rabies epidemiology in the United States.