AUGUSTA — Health officials say rabies cases are on the rise in Maine.

The Maine Center for Disease Control confirmed 11 cases of rabies in January in Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford and York counties. In January 2011, only one animal tested positive for the virus.

Officials say the most common wild animals to carry rabies are raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes and coyotes, but that domestic animals can also get rabies.

State epidemiologist Stephen Sears says people should avoid contact with wild animals and make sure their pets are up to date on their vaccinations.