WEST BEND, Wis. (AP) -- The rabies vaccine is apparently in short supply.

The Washington County health department says manufacturing problems and high demands are causing the shortage of the vaccine.

Officials say the increase in demand could possibly be tied to increased public awareness following a Fond Du Lac girl who may be the first person to survive the disease without a vaccine after being bitten by a bat in 2004.

Jim Kazmierczak, state public health veterinarian for the Division of Public Health, says avoiding exposure and knowing what to do in the case of exposure is the most important form of intervention.

Most recent human rabies cases in the United States have resulted from contact with bats.