Pinal County Arizona

Florence AZ (April 21 2010) – The Pinal County Public Health Services District is issuing a rabies advisory and urging Pinal County residents to have their animals vaccinated against the fatal disease. On April 20, 2010 a resident of Mammoth was attacked by a bobcat while outside his home in his yard. The bobcat lunged from under a parked vehicle and caused numerous bite and scratch injuries to the victim before friends assisted, beating the bobcat with sticks and a gardening hoe until it ran off. The man received medical attention for his wounds.

The bobcat then got into a fight with a family dog a few blocks away before being shot by a local resident.

After submitting the dead bobcat for testing, the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory notified Pinal County on April 21, 2010 that the bobcat was positive for rabies. The victim is continuing to receive prophylactic therapy to prevent the rabies infection. Unfortunately, the dog that was attacked was unvaccinated. Since the dog could develop the rabies infection, it will be euthanized to protect the family and the public.   

This is the sixth rabid animal identified in Pinal County to date in 2010. Five of the six rabid animals in the county have been found in the southern and eastern parts of the county. Three skunks, one bat, and a coatimundi have tested positive in addition to the bobcat. While this is the first human bitten by a rabid animal this year, eight domestic animals have been exposed to rabid animals with four euthanized.

“Owners of dogs and cats need to keep in mind the importance of rabies shots for their pets. We never want to take a family pet away from the home, but are left with no choice if there is a chance it could develop rabies and spread it to other animals, or even people. Rabies is basically 100 percent fatal once symptoms appear, and that is a risk we cannot afford to take with people’s lives. A simple shot would both prevent rabies in your pet and keep us from having to euthanize animals that are exposed,” said Tom Schryer, Director of Pinal County Public Health.

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.

“Aggressive behavior or bites associated with wild animals should always be reported to state or county officials,” Schryer said. “Providing rabies shots to humans immediately after exposure to a rabid animal saves lives. Wild animals generally tend to be shy around humans and avoid contact. Any time a wild animal displays overtly aggressive behavior it causes concern for rabies. The best thing to do if you see a wild animal acting strangely is to keep as much distance as possible, and report it to your local animal control department.”

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.

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 Services District 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 and vaccinations, call the Pinal County Public Health Services District at (520) 866-7138 or the Arizona Department of Health Services at (602) 364-4562 or your local county services.

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