Authorities have increased rabies warnings across the U.S. after people in several states were attacked by rabies and bats.

Authorities are warning Americans to be on the lookout for rabies-infected animals amid rampant attacks in some parts of the country.

This month, a raccoon attacked two dogs and rabid bats were found in two separate homes in Missouri.

Last month, a rabid cat attacked a man in Staten Island, New York, and a rabid coyote attacked two people in a park in Massachusetts.

And earlier this year, another raccoon with rabies attacked park visitors in Pennsylvania in March, and in February a Rhode Island hiker choked to death a rabid coyote when it tried to tag him and his dog.

In some parts of the country, there are signs of more ferocious animals than normal, and health experts are especially worried about bats.

Despite the increase in rabid animals, authorities have not reported an increase in rabies in humans.

Health officials in South Carolina are warning about rabies: ‘It is important to know that people, especially children, can be bitten by bats and not know it. Because bats have tiny teeth.’

Fewer than 10 people become infected each year, he says, and statistics show that most vaccine-preventable infections are contracted after infected animals that are immune to the virus.

People who are suspected of having the disease should receive one dose within 24 hours, and another three shots three, seven and 14 days after their first shot.

Rabies is more than 99 percent fatal.

Dr. Thomas Moore, an infectious disease expert in Kansas, told DailyMail.com that he has seen more people concerned about rabies in recent years – but not many cases.

‘It’s very rare for anyone to be infected with rabies,’ he said, ‘and when it happens it creates a sensation – people hear about it.’

‘Typically, if there is an unprovoked attack on an animal, people are concerned about it, and they may get vaccinated against rabies.’

Unprovoked animal attacks are a warning sign of rabies because the disease causes animals to approach and become aggressive with any species, including humans.

Dr. Moore said he has had three calls so far this year about rabies, which is common this time of year.

Overall, more than 90 percent of rabies cases nationwide are linked to exposure to wild animals — one-third to bats and another third to raccoons.

Bats that are active during the day, such as those found on the ground or that appear unable to fly, should be treated for rabies, according to Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) officials.

Humans contract the virus through saliva from infected animals that enter open wounds.

“If bitten by any animal, seek immediate medical attention,” the IDPH said in an advisory in May.

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“Bite wounds can become infected and if the animal is at high risk for rabies, preventive treatment should be started quickly,” he said.

Additionally, as much as possible, officials said residents should ‘not kill or release the bat before calling your doctor or local health department to help determine whether you may have been exposed to rabies.’

A sample taken could help local health officials decide on treatment options for exposed people, he added.

Many may not even know they have the disease, as the early warning signs of the disease — flu-like symptoms and unexplained cramps — take up to three months to appear.

Within a week of these appearing, however, patients progress to the fatal form of the disease – which attacks the brain and spinal cord, causing seizures, hallucinations and excessive salivation.

All patients infected with rabies die from this disease, which has a 99.9 percent mortality rate.

But in rare cases, many have survived after doctors put them into a medically induced coma. The first person to survive the disease was Jeanne Geese from Wisconsin. In 2004, she was bitten by a bat in a church.

While issuing a rabies warning, North Carolina officials said they have seen calls from people who have seen sick raccoons.

The main way people, pets and animals are exposed to rabies is contact with wild animals, he said.

‘You can reduce the risk of rabies for you and your pets by avoiding contact with wild animals and taking simple precautions.’

In Missouri, officials are warning that bats may be infected with rabies and that people should avoid direct contact with wild animals.

The warnings were especially urgent with the recent outbreak of baby bats – they can hang around homes and raise the risk of infection.