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Outreach and Education
Living Gently on the Land
Living Well with our Wild Neighbors
Rabies in Arizona Wildlife
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4/10/08: Number of skunks testing positive for rabies, 1985-2000. Data from Arizona Department of Health Services. Click image for larger view of map.
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Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It is spread by bites or contact with saliva or nervous tissue (primarily brain or spinal fluid). It is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, anywhere from 1 week to 6 months following exposure. Rabies causes a brain infection which results in changes in the animals’ behavior. Nocturnal animals may be seen moving about during the day. Some animals become highly agitated and may become aggressive; others may seem weak and lethargic. If you see an animal behaving unusually, avoid it and call your local animal control office. Some animals show no unusual symptoms before dying from rabies. All animal bites should be reported to your local animal control office.
Almost all mammals are susceptible to rabies, although in Arizona, bats, skunks, and gray foxes are the most commonly infected. They may transmit rabies to other mammals, such as bobcats or coyotes which may in turn come into contact with humans. There are at least 3 strains of the rabies virus in Arizona: one or more bat strains, a south-central skunk variant found in all 4 species of skunks, and an Arizona gray fox variant. Rabid bats may be encountered in any part of the state, however rabid skunks and foxes are usually found in the southeastern part of the state, extending up to the Mogollon rim in Central Arizona (see maps). For foxes and skunks, rabies tends to be cyclic, that is, in some years the number of rabid animals reported to officials is high, and other years much lower. Cats, dogs, and livestock can also become infected with rabies. Squirrels, rats, and mice are not likely to be infected with rabies.
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4/10/08: Number of gray foxes testing positive for rabies, 1985-2000. Data from Arizona Department of Health Services. Click image for larger view of map.
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4/10/08: Number of bats testing positive for rabies, 1985-2000. Data from Arizona Department of Health Services. Click image for larger view of map.
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Because of its deadly nature, we should always be concerned about rabies in wildlife. However, even during rabies epizootics (when high numbers of rabid animals are reported), only about 5% of animals tested by the Arizona state labs are confirmed with rabies. This is a small proportion of the overall population, and no cause for panic. We can help reduce the threat of rabies in several ways:
- Keep your pet’s vaccinations for rabies current (see your veterinarian for vaccination schedule).
- Discourage wildlife such as foxes and skunks from taking refuge in or near your home, by reducing attractants.
- Avoid translocating wildlife from your home to other areas. If they are sick, they may transmit disease to many other animals as they try to find their way home.
If bitten by an unprovoked wild animal, wash the bite wound with soap and water, and call the local animal control and the local health department immediately. It should be presumed rabid until laboratory testing is complete. Currently, the most conclusive tests involve killing the animal and testing its brain tissue. Although this may seem extreme, the consequences of not testing the animal may be worse. If the tests come back showing the animal had rabies, seek medical attention immediately. Failure to seek medical attention may be fatal!
For additional information, see these pages:
FAQ
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