Which animal has been associated with the highest number of rabies cases in recent years?

The correct answer is that bats have been associated with a significant number of rabies cases in recent years. Bats are known to be primary reservoirs for the rabies virus in many regions, particularly in the United States. Their ability to fly and inhabit various environments allows for widespread exposure to the virus across different geographical areas.

Bats can carry rabies without showing visible signs of illness, making it difficult to detect when they might pose a risk to humans or other animals. Furthermore, the number of reported rabies cases in bats has increased partly due to the increased awareness and study of wildlife diseases, which has led to a better understanding of the impact of bats on rabies transmission.

While dogs historically were the primary carriers of rabies, vaccination efforts have significantly reduced the incidence of rabies in domestic dog populations. Similarly, cats, while they can carry rabies and can also transmit it, are less frequently associated with rabies cases compared to bats. Skunks can be carriers of rabies, but their overall contribution to rabies cases is lower than that associated with bats. Thus, in the context of recent trends, bats have emerged as the most significant animals in the transmission and cases of rabies among wildlife and human populations.