Rabies incidents increasing among wild animals

If you see a skunk or fox out in the daytime acting friendly, beware, said Dr. Simon Escalada, a Nogales veterinarian and animal welfare officer for Santa Cruz County. Southern Arizona is seeing a spike in rabies infection, a peak in a cycle that occurs every seven to 10 years, he said.

The virus infects mostly skunks, but bats, foxes and coyotes can carry rabies, said Lt. Jose Peña, supervisor of Santa Cruz County Animal Control. In 2008, Animal Control verified rabies in 16 wild animals, including a bat and a bobcat, he said.

This year, in less than three months, his officers have discovered eight rabid skunks, Peña said. The last bad outbreak in the county was in 2002, when Animal Control saw almost 40 animals.

Pets can come into contact with rabid wild animals and contract rabies through a bite, Peña said.

“Report any strange behavior in wildlife,” he recommended. “Be sure your pets �“ cats as well as dogs �“ are vaccinated.”

Escalada began vaccinating local horses at the request of owners, he said, especially those that live in pastures traversed by wild animals.

In 2008, a bobcat bit two hikers in Adobe Canyon near Sonoita. Peña said. After they killed the cat, officers from the Arizona Game and Fish Department said the animal tested positive for rabies.

Both hikers received post-exposure shots to prevent the infection, Peña said. “Once it (the rabies virus) reaches the brain, it’s fatal.”

Doctors give an immunoglobulin to the patient, then vaccinations to stimulate the patient’s own immunity to the virus, Escalada said. This modern treatment has eliminated painful shots in the stomach.

Foot race

“When a rabid animal bites you, it’s a foot race to get antibodies,” Escalada said.

“Nobody’s ever survived rabies.”

In Pima County, people are encountering more wild animals with the rabies virus, said Jayne Cundy, public service supervisor with the Animal Care Center. They discovered 15 skunks and six foxes from Jan. 1 through March 19. Cochise County reported 12 skunks and one bobcat in the same time period, Cundy said.

Skunks and bats are the most frequent carriers, but “any mammal can carry rabies,” she said. “We always advocate vaccination (for pets).”

If a pet bites a human and breaks the skin, even if has a vaccination, it will have to be quarantined for 10 days, Cundy said. If the pet comes into contact with a wild animal, the quarantine period is 45 days, but often the animal can remain confined at home.

But if the pet does not have a current rabies vaccination, it must be quarantined for six months at a veterinary facility or euthanized so its brain can be tested for the virus, Cundy said.