we emphasize that the risk of rabies is not greater now than it has been for the last few decades. we encourage the public to be aware of the risk, to take steps to prevent exposure to possible rabid animals and to notify their health care provider if they believe they have been exposed to rabies. harris, health experts are urging folks in really using this incident to remind us to take proper precaution. harris: what about the rareness or rarity in human rabies cases. there is really only a handful of human rabies cases a year in the united states. that s down from more than a hundred a year at the turn of the century. the reason for decrease at home here in the united states is effective human vaccinations and treatments in place and animal control rabies preventions programs. steven gardner from new york methodist hospital says if you are traveling around the tworld asia and africa, be extra careful. if you are going to make a