The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control (ARC) confirmed on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, a rare case of rabies in a dog within the City of Chicago that arrived from a puppy litter in the Southeast United States. This is the first rabies-positive dog identified in Cook County since before 1964, and the first in Illinois since 1994. The dog, vaccinated earlier this year, was surrendered to a local rescue and euthanized for behavioral reasons before testing positive for rabies. The source of rabies is currently unknown and under investigation. The Chicago Veterinary Medical Association provided additional details, based on a memo from the Illinois Department of Pubic Health.
ARC is working closely with the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to investigate the case and assess potential exposures. At this time, 13 individuals known to have had direct contact with the dog have begun post-exposure prophylaxis, and no one is symptomatic. Additionally, owners of pets who have had contact with this dog are being notified by ARC so that appropriate quarantine periods can begin and vaccine boosters can be administered. The risk of rabies to the public and their pets is low. None of the health authorities indicated what region of Chicago the dog was located, and none of the organizations indicated when the dog was re-located to Chicago.
The rabid dog was vaccinated for rabies in June 2025.
The dog bit someone on December 11, 2025, according to the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association.
On December 16, 2025, the dog had a marked change in behavior and was ultimately euthanized and tested for rabies, according to ARC. The dog had behavioral issues throughout its life which got worse on December 16, 2025. Behaviors included growling, snapping, increased barking, and anxiety, according to the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association. As mentioned above, the dog was rabies vaccinated, and rabies was not suspected. The dog was euthanized on December 18, 2025 due to the dog’s behavior, and rabies was confirmed through laboratory testing on December 19, 2025. The dog tested positive for rabies by direct fluorescent antibody testing, and s repeat test was also positive.
Samples are undergoing further analysis to determine the rabies strain and potential exposure.
According to ARC, the dog was born in Georgia, traveled to a Chicago rescue, was vaccinated for rabies, was adopted by a Chicago family, and there were no known exposures to rabies in Chicago. However, additional information from the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association indicated the rapid dog was from a litter of puppies sent to the Chicago rescue from a Florida rescue group in May 2025.
Because the dog had bitten someone on December 11, 2025, and per state law must be held 10 days or tested for rabies, the dog was tested for rabies and was found to be rabies positive, according to the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association.
The Illinois owners reported no known exposures to wild animals including bats, while the dog was living with them. Currently, bats are the reservoir for animal rabies in the State of Illinois. The last skunk positive for rabies in Illinois was in 1998, and the last raccoon positive for rabies in the state was in 1983, according to the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association.
CDPH is reviewing how a vaccinated dog contracted rabies, and will share findings as they become available. This investigation will inform public education efforts to prevent future cases.
Rabies is a fatal but preventable disease that spreads from an infected animal to people through the saliva, most commonly through a bite of an infected animal. Rabies can also spread when a rabid animal’s saliva enters an open wound or the eyes, nose or mouth. For example, an infected dog licking your face or an open wound could potentially spread rabies. Rabies does not spread through contaminated materials such as clothing or bedding, or by simply petting a dog. The time from exposure to infection in people or animals can range from weeks to over 1 year.
According to the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, the incubation period for rabies is typically from 20 to 60 days in animals, but can be up to one year. Symptoms of rabies in animals include aggression, restlessness, hypersensitivity, excessive slobbering, lethargy, weakness, inability to raise the head or make sounds, and hydrophobia (fear of water).
While this canine rabies case is extremely rare, it underscores the importance of:
Ensuring pets are vaccinated and up-to-date on rabies shots.
Avoiding contact with unfamiliar or aggressive animals.
Reporting any bites or scratches from unfamiliar animals to your healthcare provider immediately.
Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are evaluating any people in contact with the dog to determine if rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be recommended for them. In addition, Cook County Animal and Rabies Control (CCARC) are following-up with owners of littermates to the rabid dog and to dogs that this rabid dog may have been in contact with including at a doggy day care. Any dog that is up to date on rabies vaccination and was in contact with the rabid dog should get a booster rabies vaccination and be held in a home quarantine for 45 days with close monitoring for any symptoms suggestive of rabies.
ACR Call to Action:
Residents should check their pets’ rabies vaccination status today.
Pet owners should contact their veterinarian if vaccinations are overdue. For more information and rabies FAQs, visit www.cookcountyil.gov/service/rabies-prevention or www.chicago.gov/health.
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