Recently, there have been a few cases of rabies reported in our area. Let's take a look at this terrifying disease and serious public health concern.

Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The rabies virus attacks the central nervous system, causing encephalitis, and is always fatal once symptoms appear. Rabies can be prevented in persons who have come into contact or been bitten by wild animals through prompt administration of anti-rabies vaccine and rabies immune globulin.

Hundreds of rabies post exposure prophylactic treatments are initiated annually in Arizona to prevent rabies from developing after confirmed or suspect exposures.  All bite or contact exposures to bats or other wild animals should be reported immediately to local animal control or health officials. Bites from domestic mammals except for rodents, should also be reported to local animal control. Reports of rabies or suspect rabies infection in livestock, and the quarantine of livestock that bite humans, are handled by the Arizona State Veterinarian's office  in Phoenix: (602) 542-4293. The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention each year occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. Domestic animals account for less than 10% of the reported rabies cases, with cats, cattle, and dogs most often reported rabid.

Rabies, a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system, is commonly referred to as "hydrophobia." Rabies is normally passed from animal to animal through bites. Animals with rabies carry the rabies virus in their saliva. If a person or animal is bitten or licked, the rabies disease can be transmitted. Once the infected animal's saliva enters our bodies through bite wounds or open sores, it takes a human as few as nine days to actually contract rabies and begin experiencing the symptoms. While it can take up to a year, most people who get rabies develop symptoms within a month of being exposed.

The delay between exposure and the start of symptoms (the "incubation period") allows humans time to seek treatment. Treatment almost always allows our bodies to fight off the virus, but you must act immediately if you suspect you have been exposed to rabies. Bites close to the head are the most dangerous because the rabies virus fatally attacks the brain. Just as there are misconceptions that rabid animals are dogs that foam at the mouth and that a bite means certain death, many Americans believe that rabies is under control in all parts of the county. The threat of rabies is still with us. It is only a wive's tale that rabid animals can easily be spotted because they drool and foam at the mouth. That symptom is typically only evident during the later stages of infection. Any animals that appear or act abnormal should be avoided. Rabid animals may stagger, appear restless, be aggressive, act affectionate or appear to be choking.

Rabies generally is a bigger problem during late spring, summer and early fall because animals are more active and because humans are out with the animals more often.

The Arizona Department of Health Services recommends the following precautions to avoid exposure to rabies:

	Keep people and pets away from wild animals. Never leave pet food in your yard because it will attract wild animals. Do not pick up, touch, or feed wild or unfamiliar animals, especially sick or wounded ones. If you have been bitten or scratched, or had contact with the animal, wash the wound or area will with soap and water, and report it immediately to animal control or health officials.
	Do not "rescue" seemingly abandoned young wild animals. Usually, the mother will return. If the mother is dead or has not returned in many hours, call the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
	Vaccinate all dogs and cats against rabies. Pets should be kept in a fenced yard.
	Take precautions when camping, hunting, or fishing. Avoid sleeping on the open ground without the protection of a closed tent or camper. Keep pets on a leash and do not allow them to wander. Wear impermeable gloves when skinning carcasses.
	Do not disturb roosting bats. If you find a bat on the ground, don't touch it. Report the bat and its location to your local animal control officer or health department. Place a box over the bat to contain it. Be careful not to damage the bat in any way since it must be intact for rabies testing.
	Teach children not to handle or touch sick or injured animals including bats.

If there is any question about possible exposure to rabies, don't waste time. Call your doctor or local health department immediately. They can get you started on treatment promptly, if necessary, to prevent the disease. The bottom line is, use common sense, and remember that rabies is not a disease to be taken lightly. Don't try to assess your own exposure; let the experts do that. And finally, be aware that there are safe and effective vaccinations available for persons exposed to rabies. Rabies is a terrifying disease and a serious public health concern, but it doesn't have to end tragically.