Rabies cases reported in Pinal County

The Pinal County Public Health Services District is issuing an advisory for animal rabies to all residents of Pinal County. 

On Dec. 23, an Oracle man was attacked by a bobcat while walking his dog. The man received medical care at a Tucson hospital and was also given his first dose of treatment to prevent a potential rabies infection. A few days later, a dead bobcat was found in an Oracle resident’s yard. The state health lab tested the brain of the dead bobcat and it was positive for rabies.
 
“While it isn’t possible to prove this was the same bobcat, it is likely that it is,” said Pinal County Public Health Director Tom Schryer. “The man who was attacked described the bobcat’s behavior as unusual. Soon after an infected animal starts exhibiting unusual, erratic behavior due to the rabies infection it dies.”
 
A second Pinal County resident is also receiving treatment to prevent a rabies infection after exposure to a rabid skunk near San Manuel. For 2009, 11 animals submitted by Pinal County for laboratory testing have tested positive for rabies. Aside from the bobcat, there were seven rabid bats and three skunks.
 
The identification of rabid animals statewide serves as a reminder of the potential for rabies in wild animals in Arizona. Rabies is an infectious disease that affects the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord of animals and humans. It is caused by a virus present in the saliva of infected animals and is transmitted to humans through contact with the live virus.  Rabies is fatal to humans once symptoms appear. There has not been a documented case of human rabies in Pinal County for decades, however every year in Pinal County there are several humans exposed to rabid animals.
 
“These recent situations serve as a reminder that all attacks or bites from wild animals should be reported to state or county health officials,” Schryer said. “Lives were saved because these exposures were identified and victims were treated in a timely manner.”
 
While human exposures to rabid animals are rare, family pets are more often exposed to wild animals, including wild animals that are rabid. Pets should be vaccinated against rabies. The vaccine is available at veterinary offices or through county animal care and control.
 
Contact Pinal County Animal Care and Control for more information concerning rabies vaccination for pets and vaccination clinic times and locations at 520-509-3555 or 888-431-1311.
 
Rabies can occur in animals anywhere in the county. In the last few years, the southern and eastern portions of Pinal County have had the most activity. Rabies is found mainly in wild animals such as bats, skunks, foxes, raccoons, bobcats, and coyotes. Cats, dogs, and livestock can also become infected with rabies if they are bitten by rabid wild animals and they have not been vaccinated. Rodents such as rats, mice, gerbils, guinea pigs and squirrels are not likely to be infected with rabies. Wild animals exhibiting unusual behavior should be reported to local animal control officials.
 
The first sign of rabies is usually a change in the animal’s behavior. Animals may act more aggressive or more tame than usual. Animals usually active at night such as skunks, foxes, and bats may be out during the day.  Rabid animals may appear agitated and excited or paralyzed and frightened.  Sometimes, rabid animals do not show any signs of illness before death from rabies.  That is why contact with wild animals should always be avoided.
 
The Pinal County Public Health recommends the following precautions:
 
• Keep people and pets away from wild animals. Do not pick up, touch, or feed wild or unfamiliar animals, especially sick or wounded ones. If someone has been bitten or scratched, or has had contact with the animal, report it immediately to animal control or health officials.

• Do not “rescue” seemingly abandoned young wild animals. Usually, the mother will return.  If the mother is dead or has not returned in many hours, call the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

• Vaccinate all dogs and cats against rabies. Pets should be kept in a fenced yard.

• Take precautions when camping, hunting or fishing. Avoid sleeping on the open ground without the protection of a closed tent or camper. Keep pets on a leash and do not allow them to wander.

• Do not disturb roosting bats. If you find a bat on the ground, don’t touch it. Report the bat and its location to your local animal control officer or health department.  Place a box over the bat to contain it. Be careful not to damage the bat in any way since it must be intact for rabies testing.
 
For more information about rabies, call the Pinal County Public Health Services District at 520-866-7138 or the Arizona Department of Health Services at 602-364-4562.

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