LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Rabies cases are on the rise so far this year in Nebraska. State epidemiologist Tom Safranek says that the numbers of reports is on pace to top rabies cases from each of the past two years. There have been 21 cases reported so far in 2012. There were 53 reports in 2010 and 35 in 2011. Safranek says he expects the state could see close to 90 cases, the number reported in 2009. He’s urging the public to use caution when encountering bats, skunks and foxes and to avoid domestic animals that are behaving erratically.