Investigation and Response to a Single Cat Injuring Multiple People - Shandong Province, China, 2026

Rabies is an almost universally fatal zoonosis; dogs remain China's main human exposure source. Cats are generally not persistent rabies reservoirs; most feline infections result from spillover from rabid dogs or wildlife. However, feline rabies has been documented worldwide.

This report describes a laboratory-confirmed incident in which one stray cat successively attacked two people in Shandong Province, China, in 2026. Rabies virus nucleic acid was detected in cat brain and saliva specimens; whole-genome sequencing showed extremely high homology with two canine-derived strains from Henan.

Large-scale canine vaccination and strengthened dog source management, including registration, confinement or tethering, and collection and sheltering of strays, should remain core interventions for blocking rabies spillover at its source. Cats should also be formally incorporated into rabies prevention and control systems.