How to protect yourself and your pet from rabies. A veterinarian and immunologist in simple words

In different regions of Ukraine, the number of rabies cases among animals, mostly wildlife, is increasing. Since the beginning of 2025, has registered 46 cases in Cherkasy region, 52 in Vinnytsia, and 10 in Zaporizhzhia. Cases of rabies in animals were also recorded in the Kyiv region, in particular in a domestic dog. Moreover, according to the Center for Public Health, in the first three months of 2025, one person fell ill with rabies in Ukraine.

The fact that rabies cases are on the rise is related to the war. One of the reasons is that wild animals used to be vaccinated against rabies with an oral vaccine. It was scattered in the areas where such animals live, they ate the vaccine, and there were fewer cases. Now, due to the fighting in the frontline and near-frontline areas, it is often impossible to do this. Therefore, many wild animals remain unvaccinated and at the same time move around a lot.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease transmitted through the saliva of infected animals and affects the central nervous system. Most often, infection occurs through bites. There is no cure for rabies, and it is fatal in 100% of cases. But you can protect yourself and your animals. To do this, you should follow clear rules and act quickly .