Rabies
Version: November 2025
Introduction
Rabies is a fatal viral infection primarily affecting mammals, including humans. It is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, typically via bites. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal, but prompt post-exposure prophylaxis can prevent onset if administered quickly after exposure. Rabies affects the central nervous system, causing inflammation of the brain, which leads to severe neurological symptoms such as aggression, hallucinations, and hydrophobia. Rabies is prevalent worldwide but is highly preventable through vaccination of animals and humans. Awareness and prevention strategies remain crucial in managing the spread and impact of rabies.
Highlights
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Decline from 2015 to 2023: Rabies cases and deaths showed a decreasing trend, dropping from 78 cases in November 2015 to 13 in October 2023.
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Fluctuations Post-2023: Although reduced in 2023, 2024 and 2025 showed fluctuations, with cases peaking at 32 in August 2025 and deaths at 29 in September 2025.
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Recent 2025 Increase: There has been a resurgence in 2025, with an upward trend from February, peaking in August, indicating challenges in control measures.
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Current Situation: As of November 2025, there are 25 cases and 18 deaths, suggesting a need for renewed focus on containment efforts.
Analysis
Cases Analysis
The analysis of rabies cases and deaths in the Chinese mainland from late 2015 reveals a fluctuation in numbers over the years, with a general decreasing trend until around 2020, followed by a more variable trend in subsequent years. Initially, the reported cases and deaths were relatively high, such as in late 2015 and early 2016, where there were cases and deaths often above 50 per month. This can be indicative of either higher transmission rates or possibly less effective control measures during this period. The case and death numbers start to decline gradually from 2017 onwards, reaching the lowest figures around mid-2020, which could be a sign of better rabies control measures, increased public awareness, or changes in health policy.
From 2021 onwards, the numbers exhibit variability, with some months showing increases in both cases and deaths but generally remaining lower than the peak years of 2015-2016. By 2024 and 2025, there is a mild increase in both metrics, indicating a possibly emerging challenge in controlling rabies or variability in animal-human interactions that could affect case occurrences. The fluctuations suggest that while overall control has improved since the initial high numbers, consistent vigilance and public health efforts are necessary to maintain and further reduce the burden of rabies. Factors contributing to these trends could include urbanization, changes in vector or reservoir populations, and variations in public health infrastructure effectiveness.
Deaths Analysis
The data highlights a fluctuating pattern of rabies-related deaths in the Chinese mainland from 2015 to 2025. Late 2015 to 2016 experienced particularly high numbers of cases and deaths, with deaths often surpassing or matching cases, indicating severe rabies infections. December 2015 saw an alarming 91 deaths, pointing to either a rise in rabies incidents or challenges in post-exposure prophylaxis, suggesting gaps in public health interventions.
From 2018 onwards, there’s a noticeable decline in cases and deaths, likely reflecting better rabies surveillance, enhanced public health measures like animal vaccinations, and improved healthcare access. However, intermittent spikes such as in December 2020 and 2022 indicate periodic challenges in rabies management, underscoring the need for consistent rabies control measures.
As we move into the mid-2020s, despite a minor resurgence in cases and deaths, the trend suggests ongoing but reduced transmission, especially in areas with higher risks of animal bites. This persistent pattern highlights the importance of maintaining robust public education, vaccination efforts, and accessible post-exposure treatments to manage rabies effectively. Continuous efforts are crucial to sustaining control over rabies-related mortalities, emphasizing vigilance in rural areas and high-transmission zones to minimize impact and sustain public health gains.