This year, there have been 70 animals reported positive for rabies, according to Will Humble, director of Arizona Department of Health Services. Forty animals were reported to be positive for the disease last year at this time.
Humble says that Arizona officials are seeing “an especially high number of rabid skunks this year. 39 skunks have been reported so far, all of them coming from Southern Arizona,” Humble wrote on his blog. “We have noticed that every few years we have an increase in rabies activity (an epizootic) among wildlife in Arizona. Arizona’s 3 most common animal reservoirs are bats, foxes, and skunks.”
Bats, foxes, and skunks carry their own distinct rabies virus variant or “strain,” reports Humble. “When rabies activity within these animal groups increases (like what’s happening with skunks in Southern Arizona) the risk of rabies “spillover” into other mammal species, such as bobcats, coyotes, javelinas, cats, dogs, horses, or cows, increases. When spillover rabies occurs in domestic animals, the risk to humans is increased. That’s why it’s important to keep rabies vaccinations up-to-date for your pets and livestock. Unvaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets exposed to a rabid animal may have to be euthanized or kept under a strict quarantine for 6 months.” Humble warns, “So don’t take that risk and vaccinate your pets!”
Campers, hikers, and hunters are warned to avoid touching, handling, or adopting wild or stray animals. Hunters should always wear gloves and protective eyewear when field dressing game to protect them from many diseases, including rabies, advises Humble.
The public is asked to notify local animal control or Game and Fish officials if they see wild animals acting out of the ordinary or a large number of dead skunks or foxes. “Rabies in humans is 100% fatal, but the good news is that it is 100% preventable through prompt appropriate medical care,” writes Humble. “So be sure to call your healthcare provider and county health department if you are bitten by a wild animal or have been exposed to their saliva.”