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by hodie on 27 April 2010 - 14:04
Source: In Maricopa.com [edited]
http://www.inmaricopa.com/COMMUNITY/CommunityArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=434&&ArticleID=8138
"The Pinal County Public Health Services District is issuing a rabies
advisory, urging Pinal County residents to have their animals
vaccinated against the fatal disease.
On 20 Apr 2010, a resident of Mammoth was attacked by a bobcat while
outside his home in his yard. The bobcat lunged from under a parked
vehicle and caused numerous bite and scratch injuries to the victim
before friends assisted, beating it with sticks and a gardening hoe
until it ran off. The man received medical attention for his wounds.
The bobcat then got into a fight with a family dog a few blocks away
before being shot by a local resident.
After submitting the dead bobcat for testing, the Arizona State
Public Health Laboratory notified Pinal County on 21 Apr 2010 that
the bobcat was positive for rabies. The victim is continuing to
receive prophylactic therapy to prevent the rabies infection.
Unfortunately, the dog that was attacked was unvaccinated. Since the
dog could develop rabies infection, it will now need to be euthanized
to protect the family and the public.
This is the 6th rabid animal identified in Pinal County so far in
2010. Five of the 6 rabid animals in the county have been found in
the southern and eastern parts of the county. Three skunks, one bat,
and a coatimundi have tested positive in addition to the bobcat.
While this is the 1st human bitten by a rabid animal this year
[2010], 8 domestic animals have been exposed to rabid animals,
resulting in euthanasia of 4.
"Owners of dogs and cats need to keep in mind the importance of
rabies shots for their pets. We never want to take a family pet away
from the home but are left with no choice if there is a chance it
could develop rabies and spread it to other animals or even people.
Rabies is basically 100 percent fatal once symptoms [in people] or
clinical signs [in animals] appear, and that is a risk we cannot
afford to take with people's lives. A simple shot would both prevent
rabies in your pet and keep us from having to euthanize animals that
are exposed," said Tom Schryer, director of Pinal County Public Health."
http://www.inmaricopa.com/COMMUNITY/CommunityArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=434&&ArticleID=8138
"The Pinal County Public Health Services District is issuing a rabies
advisory, urging Pinal County residents to have their animals
vaccinated against the fatal disease.
On 20 Apr 2010, a resident of Mammoth was attacked by a bobcat while
outside his home in his yard. The bobcat lunged from under a parked
vehicle and caused numerous bite and scratch injuries to the victim
before friends assisted, beating it with sticks and a gardening hoe
until it ran off. The man received medical attention for his wounds.
The bobcat then got into a fight with a family dog a few blocks away
before being shot by a local resident.
After submitting the dead bobcat for testing, the Arizona State
Public Health Laboratory notified Pinal County on 21 Apr 2010 that
the bobcat was positive for rabies. The victim is continuing to
receive prophylactic therapy to prevent the rabies infection.
Unfortunately, the dog that was attacked was unvaccinated. Since the
dog could develop rabies infection, it will now need to be euthanized
to protect the family and the public.
This is the 6th rabid animal identified in Pinal County so far in
2010. Five of the 6 rabid animals in the county have been found in
the southern and eastern parts of the county. Three skunks, one bat,
and a coatimundi have tested positive in addition to the bobcat.
While this is the 1st human bitten by a rabid animal this year
[2010], 8 domestic animals have been exposed to rabid animals,
resulting in euthanasia of 4.
"Owners of dogs and cats need to keep in mind the importance of
rabies shots for their pets. We never want to take a family pet away
from the home but are left with no choice if there is a chance it
could develop rabies and spread it to other animals or even people.
Rabies is basically 100 percent fatal once symptoms [in people] or
clinical signs [in animals] appear, and that is a risk we cannot
afford to take with people's lives. A simple shot would both prevent
rabies in your pet and keep us from having to euthanize animals that
are exposed," said Tom Schryer, director of Pinal County Public Health."
by bazza on 27 April 2010 - 16:04
You guys have a lot more to contend with than we do here in the UK. I sometimes forget how lucky I am to live in a country that is rabies free, along with a whole lot of other things. Kind of makes you take stock and not just take things for granted as most here do.
by 4pack on 27 April 2010 - 16:04
Well I learned something already today. Had to look up a coatimundi. No idea these things were in the US.
by LAVK-9 on 27 April 2010 - 19:04
This is nothing new.There have been a few Bobcat attacks here in AZ. There was one that went into the local bar in Prescott and attacked some people. Also a girl and her mom were attacked. Nothing new.
by Sunsilver on 27 April 2010 - 19:04
Hard to believe some idiots...er, people don't vaccinate their pets for such a deadly disease.
I encountered one case of rabies when I worked for the vet. It was a beagle who'd been in a fight with a fox. Strangely enough, the authorities put the dog under HOUSE quarantine, even though it was unvaccinated. The quarantine was a joke. Something like 12 people were exposed to the dog during the incubation period, and had to have shots. They included the vet, when the dog stood up on its hind legs, and scratched his arm with its claws! Short-sleeved scrub tunics are a BAD idea when dealing with an infected animal.
He said the shots itched more than they hurt, but he had a pretty big gut on him to absorb the needles!
I encountered one case of rabies when I worked for the vet. It was a beagle who'd been in a fight with a fox. Strangely enough, the authorities put the dog under HOUSE quarantine, even though it was unvaccinated. The quarantine was a joke. Something like 12 people were exposed to the dog during the incubation period, and had to have shots. They included the vet, when the dog stood up on its hind legs, and scratched his arm with its claws! Short-sleeved scrub tunics are a BAD idea when dealing with an infected animal.
He said the shots itched more than they hurt, but he had a pretty big gut on him to absorb the needles!
by Jackal73 on 28 April 2010 - 01:04
Are there any stats for what annual infection rates for rabies are in Arizona? Six reported cases seems really high for a single county, and it might be the start of a bigger problem. Or it could be normal for that part of the world, but I can't find anything to confirm or deny. If rabies really is that common then there's no excuse for people to leave their pets unvaccinated. I feel badly for the poor dog -- it's a shame no one has developed treatment to help infected animals.
Edited to add: it does look like rabies is very prevalent in Arizona. 162 cases in 2008, and 169 in 2005. No two ways about it, anyone with a domestic animal needs to get it vaccinated!
Edited to add: it does look like rabies is very prevalent in Arizona. 162 cases in 2008, and 169 in 2005. No two ways about it, anyone with a domestic animal needs to get it vaccinated!
by VomRuiz on 28 April 2010 - 02:04
I have family in AZ and will forward this to them
Thanks
Stacy
Thanks
Stacy
by beetree on 28 April 2010 - 10:04
There seems to be a new series of shots available (only 4) for humans, if one has been exposed.
More info: www.azdhs.gov/phs/oids/vector/rabies/
More info: www.azdhs.gov/phs/oids/vector/rabies/
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