The Arizona Department of Health Services is alerting residents to a statewide rise in animal rabies cases and urging the community to follow prevention guidelines to stay safe from the disease. As of May 31, 2018 there have been 77 rabid animals reported compared with 54 at that time last year, with the majority of animals identified in rural counties in the state. Most rabid animals identified to date in 2018 have been skunks and foxes, with 25 rabid skunks and 31 positive foxes reported from January through May. An increase in rabid bats is expected as the weather gets warmer.
rabies
Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) is reminding residents to stay away from bats after two bats in the Valley tested positive for rabies in the past week.
The Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) confirmed today that a second fox in west Flagstaff has tested positive for rabies. The fox was in an area south of I- 40, east of I-17 and north of Zuni Drive in Flagstaff.
The fox was found and tested for rabies after residents walking in the area reported the animal attacked one of them. The individual is receiving post exposure rabies prophylaxis treatment.
The Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) confirmed today that a fox tested positive for rabies. The fox was found in a wooded area north of Interstate 40, west of Milton Road and south of University Ave. in west Flagstaff.
The fox was captured and tested after residents walking in the area reported the animal attacked their dog and bit them when they intervened. The individuals are receiving post exposure rabies prophylaxis treatment.
Coronado National Forest and the Arizona Game and Fish Department remind outdoor recreationists that the onset of summer means changed conditions across the Forest.
Officials note that as temperatures warm, vegetation is greening up and water is becoming scarce on the 16 “Sky Island” mountain ranges that compose the Coronado. As a result, wildlife movements and patterns are altered, a change which requires renewed situational awareness by outdoor enthusiasts.
Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) officials are reminding individuals to take precautions to protect against rabies. Spring brings warmer weather and a rise in outdoor recreational activity, increasing the potential of exposure to wildlife.
CCPSHD urges people to follow the following precautions to protect from rabies:
The Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) was recently contacted regarding an individual in the Oak Creek Canyon area (near Sedona )who was attacked by a fox. CCPHSD Animal Management responded and sent the fox to the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) State Laboratory where it tested positive for rabies.
The individual who was exposed is receiving post exposure rabies prophylaxis treatment. CCPHSD is providing signage for area trails, and notifying local businesses in the area.
Rabies activity in Arizona’s gray fox populations has quadrupled in the last year according to data released by the Arizona Department of Health Services.
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Public Health officials in Pinal and Maricopa Counties today said the Arizona Department of Health Services State Public Health Laboratory has confirmed at least two cases of rabies from animals near the Superstition Mountains.
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In the past two months, three animals have tested positive for rabies virus in eastern Pinal County.
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