Human Rabies in Mexico 2025: Symptoms, Transmission, and Recent Cases

MEXICO CITY (apro).— Health officials from the Zacatecas Health Department reported the death of a 17-year-old girl from symptoms consistent with human rabies on August 24, 2025. The infection reportedly occurred on June 22 after she was bitten by a skunk in the municipality of Mezquital del Oro.

The young girl received treatment at a hospital of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), where according to a state department press release, she experienced multiple organ failure. Following this incident, the Zacatecas Health Department initiated epidemiological investigation protocols, which included monitoring individuals who had been in contact with the patient to administer prophylaxis and prevent further infections. The Institute of Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference (InDRE) is currently analyzing samples to definitively confirm the case.

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This case adds to other instances of human rabies reported in the country. In April of 2025, health authorities confirmed a case in a woman in the state of Tabasco, who was reportedly infected by urban wildlife.

In 2024, Mexico reported four cases of rabies in humans. One was a death in Oaxaca in December, caused by a bat bite. Earlier, in April of that year, a child’s death was reported in Michoacán, also due to contact with a bat, and in February, a man died in Quintana Roo, whose infection was linked to handling unvaccinated cats.

How is Rabies Contracted?

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system. It is caused by a virus from the Lyssavirus genus, which is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with the saliva of infected animals.

The most common mode of transmission is a bite. However, infection can also occur if the saliva of an infected animal comes into contact with open wounds, deep scratches, or mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Any mammal can transmit the virus. Historically, dogs were the main transmitter to humans. However, since Mexico was validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019 for eliminating dog-transmitted human rabies as a public health problem, wildlife has become more significant as a vector of infection.

Animals such as bats, skunks, coyotes, and foxes are now the main carriers of the virus in the country. Contact with pets like dogs and cats remains a risk factor if they are not vaccinated and have contact with infected wildlife.

What are the Symptoms of Rabies in Humans?

Once the virus enters the body, it begins an incubation period during which the individual shows no symptoms. This phase can last from a few weeks to several months, depending on factors such as the location of the bite —injuries to the head, neck, and arms involve a shorter period— and the amount of virus introduced.

The initial clinical symptoms, known as the prodromal phase, are nonspecific and can be mistaken for other illnesses. They include fever, headache, general discomfort, and fatigue. A distinctive early sign may be pain, tingling, or burning at the original wound site.

As the virus progresses and reaches the central nervous system, the acute neurological phase begins, where symptoms become severe. This phase can manifest in two forms. “Furious rabies” is characterized by agitation, hyperactivity, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, and involuntary muscle spasms. During this stage, symptoms like hydrophobia (painful spasms in the larynx when trying to drink water) and aerophobia (spasms triggered by air currents) appear.

The second form is “paralytic rabies,” which causes progressive muscle paralysis starting at the bite site and spreading throughout the body.

Once clinical symptoms appear, the disease is nearly always fatal. Therefore, immediate medical attention after potential exposure is crucial. The protocol includes thoroughly washing the wound with soap and water and administering rabies vaccine and, if necessary, rabies immunoglobulin.