Rabies Alert in Sedona and Flagstaff Areas
by Jeannine Kinney, DVM

The recent surge in rabies cases in wildlife in the Flagstaff and Sedona areas has prompted State and County health officials to issue a Rabies Alert for these areas.  The following serves as a reminder of this important disease and the precautions that must always be taken to protect our pets and us.

Rabies is a virus to which all warm-blooded animals are susceptible, though some species are more vulnerable to infection than others.  Foxes, coyotes, skunks, raccoons, bats, rabbits cattle and some feline species are highly susceptible.  Domestic dogs, sheep, goats, horses and nonhuman primates are moderately susceptible.  Younger animals tend to be more at risk of rabies infection than older ones.

            The bite of an infected animal that has rabies virus in its saliva is almost always the cause of rabies infection.  More rare modes of transmission include inhalation of exhaled virus from large colonies of cave-dwelling bats, ingestion of infected tissue or secretions, and transplacental infection from mother to fetus.

            In the United States, rabies is primarily a disease of wildlife.  Predominant species representing wildlife reservoirs in the U.S. are skunks, foxes, coyotes and insectivorous bats.  In Yavapai County specifically the reservoirs include skunks and gray foxes.  The same characteristics that we cherish about living here also provide the threat—the wilderness is close and so are the reservoirs.

            Clinical signs of rabies can vary between species and between individuals within a species but are always neurological in nature.  Some of these signs include nervousness, solitude, irritability, aggression and paralysis.  Sometimes the signs are limited to behavior changes.  For example, wild animals that are usually shy or nocturnal may suddenly exhibit friendliness to people or animals or be active during the day.  Rabies infection almost always progresses to death in most animals and in people.

            Prevention plays a vital role in controlling rabies because it is a serious disease affecting many species including humans and there are no reliable tests available for detecting rabies in the living animal.  No effort has reduced the incidence of human rabies as successfully as the widespread vaccination of domestic cats and dogs. All dogs, cats and ferrets should be vaccinated for rabies according to State guidelines. People in high-risk categories should be vaccinated as well, such as veterinarians, wildlife authorities, or others who may be at increased risk for exposure.  Finally, pets should either be housed indoors or strictly confined or supervised when outdoors.

            The following additional precautions should also be taken (courtesy of State health officials): Avoid wild or unfamiliar animals. Never feed, approach, or touch wild animals (alive or dead). Teach this important message to your children and keep a close eye on your kids at all times.  If you see a sick or dead animal, or an animal acting abnormally, report it to your local animal control agency or Yavapai County Animal Control.  Never dispose of a dead wild animal yourself. Also, leave your pets at home. If you bring a pet to the area, they must be kept leashed at all times by law. In addition, they must be up-to-date on rabies vaccinations and wearing current tags on their collar. Finally, if you or someone you know is bitten by an animal, or come into contact with an animal’s saliva, wash the exposed site immediately with soap and water.  Report the bite to local animal control or health officials immediately and seek medical attention, as postexposure prophylaxis may be necessary.

            By acting as responsible citizens and pet owners we can effectively control the spread of rabies in our area.  For more information about rabies, contact your local veterinarian, your local health department, or the Arizona Department of Health Services.

References:

Greene CE, Dreesen DW.  Rabies, Pg 114-123. In Greene CE (ed), Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat.  W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 1998. The Arizona Department of Health Services.