Final answer:
Raccoons are the most frequently reported rabid animals in the U.S., making up 30.2% of all cases in 2014, followed by bats, skunks, and foxes. Widespread vaccination of domestic pets and targeted wildlife vaccination efforts help maintain a low incidence of rabies in the U.S.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most frequently reported rabid animal in the U.S. is the raccoon. In 2014, rabies cases in the United States were predominantly found in wild animals, with raccoons constituting 30.2% of all animal cases, bats at 29.1%, skunks at 26.3%, and foxes at 4.1%. Collectively, these wild animals accounted for 92.6% of all reported cases of the disease. Domestic animals such as dogs, cats, horses, and others made up the remaining 7.4% of cases.
Rabies is a deadly neurological disease caused by the rabies virus, and once symptoms appear, it is almost always fatal. It is especially concerning in wild animal reservoirs where vaccination programs may be more challenging to implement. However, the incidence of rabies in the U.S. remains low primarily due to the widespread vaccination of domestic dogs and cats, along with targeted wildlife vaccination efforts.