Officials are warning Americans to be on the alert for rabies-infected animals amid a spate of attacks in some parts of the country.
This month, a rabid raccoon attacked two dogs and rabid bats were found in two separate houses in Missouri.
Last month, a stray cat with rabies attacked a person in Staten Island, New York, while in Massachusetts a rabid coyote attacked two people in a park.
And earlier this year, another raccoon with rabies attacked theme park goers in Pennsylvania in March, and in February, a Rhode Island hiker had to strangle a rabid coyote as it tried to claw at him and his dog.
There are signs that in some areas of the country there are more rabid animals than normal, with health officials raising concerns in particular over bats.
And earlier this year, another raccoon with rabies attacked theme park goers in Pennsylvania in March, and in February, a Rhode Island hiker had to strangle a rabid coyote as it tried to claw at him and his dog.
Despite the rise in rabid animals, officials have not reported that rabies infections in humans are increasing.