Since January, the state’s health laboratory has confirmed rabies in 162 animals, with 38 humans and 119 pets exposed to these rabid animals.
Arizona’s highest year on record is 2005, when 169 animals tested positive for rabies.
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“At 162 right now, we’re sure we’re going over that (169) number,” said Craig Levy, program manager of the vector borne disease program for Arizona Department of Health Services.
Levy is urging all pet owners to vaccinate their dogs and cats against the disease.
Last week, the state reported the first positive rabies test on a pet dog since 2002. The dog, which was in Pima County, was not vaccinated and ran freely on a ranch, Levy said. The animal was euthanized, and three of its owners are undergoing a preventative rabies vaccination series.
“When pets get rabies, it can impact a lot of people,” Levy said. “And it’s such a simple, inexpensive thing to get the animal vaccinated.”
Prior to this recent case, the last dog in Arizona to be confirmed with rabies was in 2002. That incident involved a puppy being showcased at an adoption day event, where more than 100 people were exposed to the animal and had to go through the vaccination prevention series.
So far in 2008, Cochise County has reported 11 confirmed cases of rabies, which includes four bats, six skunks and a fox. Graham County has reported one bobcat. Santa Cruz County has reported 14 cases, with two bats, 11 skunks and one bobcat. And Pima County has reported the highest number in the state, with 61 cases.
Statewide, positive rabies cases have included 84 bats, 47 skunks, 17 foxes, seven bobcats, four coyotes, one dog, one coati and one mountain lion.
“Of the animals we’ve had in Arizona, most are rabid bats and most human exposures are to people playing with grounded bats,” Levy said. “Sick bats are a big problem. We want people to leave grounded bats alone. Don’t touch them, don’t handle them.”
Levy advises anyone who finds a bat on the ground to contain it by placing a box or bucket over it, and weight the top down. Then an animal control officer should be called to remove the animal.
“It’s very important that parents talk to their children about leaving bats alone,” Levy added.
People living in rural areas where there are skunks and foxes should consider vaccinating their horses, Levy said. While it’s unusual, there have been cases where llamas, horses and other livestock have tested positive for rabies. Horse owners should check with their large animal veterinarians to see what they recommend.
Herald/Review reporter Dana Cole can be reached at 515-4618 or by e-mail at dana.cole@svherald.com.
LIMITING EXPOSURE TO RABIES
Arizona Department of Health Services offers the following suggestions to help reduce rabies exposure:
• Dogs and cats should be vaccinated against rabies and receive appropriate boosters. The rabies vaccination should be given by a veterinarian at 3 months of age, one year later and then once every three years.
• Keep pets in a fenced yard to prevent contact with wild animals. Do not allow pets to roam free when out in the wilderness.
• Never touch or play with an animal that looks sick. Animals with rabies show changes in behavior. Wild animals seem more tame and often show no fear of humans, or they may act more aggressively.
• Other symptoms of rabies include difficulty walking, foaming at the mouth, the inability to swallow saliva, seizures and sudden death.
• Bats that are found on the ground may be sick with rabies. Don’t touch grounded bats. Contain them by placing a box or bucket over them, weight the top down and contact an animal control officer for safe removal.
• Anyone who comes across an animal displaying unusual behavior should report it to wildlife officials or local animal control officers immediately. Do not attempt to approach or handle the animal.
• If bitten or scratched by a wild animal, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek immediate medical attention.
For information about rabies, call the Cochise County Health Department at 432-9400 or Arizona Department of Health Services Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Disease Section at (602) 364-4562.
