Print
Comment
Rate
More rabid skunks found in St. David; caution urged
Dana Cole/Wick Communications
Another rabid skunk has been discovered in St. David, bringing Cochise County's number of rabies cases up to eight so far this year.
Seven of the skunks are from the St. David and Benson areas, while one was discovered in Sierra Vista.
"And that Sierra Vista case is questionable," said Elisabeth Lawaczeck, the state public health veterinarian. "Skunks seven and eight have interesting stories."
The seventh skunk, reported as a Sierra Vista case, was retrieved from the engine of a car parked in Sierra Vista Regional Health Center's parking lot. The car had just been driven to the hospital from St. David.
"That skunk obviously hitched a ride in the engine of that man's car and was most likely killed when he started his engine," Lawaczeck said. "I've been to that hospital before, so I'm familiar with the area. It's not the kind of environment where you find skunks."
While an initial rabies test showed a positive result, this particular skunk's test is now being repeated because of a questionable result, Lawaczeck said.
"I'm waiting for more information from our state testing lab," she said.
Health officials are "extremely concerned" about the number of confirmed rabies cases in Southeastern Arizona, said Laura Oxley, spokeswoman for the Arizona Department of Health Services.
The eighth rabid skunk - discovered in St. David - also has an interesting story. A woman ventured outside late at night to check on her barking dog. The dog was barking frantically at a skunk, which then turned on the woman, grabbing her shoe. She shot and killed it.
"The buckshot from her gun ricocheted and hit her in the face," Lawaczeck said. "Fortunately, her injuries were not serious. But because of the potential exposure to rabies, she is being treated as an exposure case, and is going through the prevention protocol."
The treatment for humans who have been exposed to rabies involves five vaccinations over the course of a month.
Statewide, 31 animals have tested positive for rabies in 2009.
"The most important thing that people can do, is to make sure their dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies," Lawaczeck said. "When it comes to a rabies vaccination, animals must be vaccinated through a licensed veterinarian."
Hiking and camping are popular this time of year, and health officials are urging residents to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their pets. While out on hikes with dogs, keep them on a leash, even if they're fully vaccinated.
"We're really urging people to be cautious when they're out and about," said Carol Capas, spokeswoman for the Cochise County Sheriff's Office. "Leave wild animals alone. Parents need to warn their children to do the same. And make sure your pets are vaccinated."
Unvaccinated dogs that have been exposed to a rabid animal will have to be quarantined for six months at the owner's expense, Lawaczeck said.
"The average charge to quarantine an animal that may have been exposed to rabies is $30 a day," she said. "It's so much smarter to keep your pets vaccinated."
Dogs that have been exposed to a rabid animal but are vaccinated will receive a booster vaccination and are allowed to be quarantined at home for 45 days.
When dogs kill a skunk, something that isn't unusual in rural areas, the skunk will need to be tested for rabies. Do not handle the dead skunk. Instead, report it to local animal control officials.
If someone believes they have exposed to rabies, they need to contact their health care provider, Lawaczeck said. The human rabies vaccine is in limited supply, so local health care providers are being asked to contact local or state health officials when they have a patient who may have been exposed to rabies.
"Rabies is present throughout Cochise County, including the Sierra Vista and Fort Huachuca areas," Lawaczeck said. "The recent cases in the Benson and St. David areas indicate an outbreak of rabies influence."
RABIES
INFORMATION
For information about rabies call the Cochise County Health Department at 432-9400, Cochise County Animal Control at 432-9500, the Benson Animal Shelter at (520) 586-3600, or the Arizona Department of Health Services at (602) 364-4562. Additional information is available by going to the state health department's Web site at www.azdhs.gov.
All mammals can get rabies. Because of an increased incidence in the number of confirmed rabies cases in recent years, large animal veterinarians are urging horse owners to get all equines vaccinated against the virus, to include mules, donkeys and burros.
(Dana Cole is a reporter at the Sierras Vista Herald/Bisbee Daily Review. )
Another rabid skunk has been discovered in St. David, bringing Cochise County's number of rabies cases up to eight so far this year.
Seven of the skunks are from the St. David and Benson areas, while one was discovered in Sierra Vista.
"And that Sierra Vista case is questionable," said Elisabeth Lawaczeck, the state public health veterinarian. "Skunks seven and eight have interesting stories."
The seventh skunk, reported as a Sierra Vista case, was retrieved from the engine of a car parked in Sierra Vista Regional Health Center's parking lot. The car had just been driven to the hospital from St. David.
"That skunk obviously hitched a ride in the engine of that man's car and was most likely killed when he started his engine," Lawaczeck said. "I've been to that hospital before, so I'm familiar with the area. It's not the kind of environment where you find skunks."
While an initial rabies test showed a positive result, this particular skunk's test is now being repeated because of a questionable result, Lawaczeck said.
"I'm waiting for more information from our state testing lab," she said.
Health officials are "extremely concerned" about the number of confirmed rabies cases in Southeastern Arizona, said Laura Oxley, spokeswoman for the Arizona Department of Health Services.
The eighth rabid skunk - discovered in St. David - also has an interesting story. A woman ventured outside late at night to check on her barking dog. The dog was barking frantically at a skunk, which then turned on the woman, grabbing her shoe. She shot and killed it.
"The buckshot from her gun ricocheted and hit her in the face," Lawaczeck said. "Fortunately, her injuries were not serious. But because of the potential exposure to rabies, she is being treated as an exposure case, and is going through the prevention protocol."
The treatment for humans who have been exposed to rabies involves five vaccinations over the course of a month.
Statewide, 31 animals have tested positive for rabies in 2009.
"The most important thing that people can do, is to make sure their dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies," Lawaczeck said. "When it comes to a rabies vaccination, animals must be vaccinated through a licensed veterinarian."
Hiking and camping are popular this time of year, and health officials are urging residents to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their pets. While out on hikes with dogs, keep them on a leash, even if they're fully vaccinated.
"We're really urging people to be cautious when they're out and about," said Carol Capas, spokeswoman for the Cochise County Sheriff's Office. "Leave wild animals alone. Parents need to warn their children to do the same. And make sure your pets are vaccinated."
Unvaccinated dogs that have been exposed to a rabid animal will have to be quarantined for six months at the owner's expense, Lawaczeck said.
"The average charge to quarantine an animal that may have been exposed to rabies is $30 a day," she said. "It's so much smarter to keep your pets vaccinated."
Dogs that have been exposed to a rabid animal but are vaccinated will receive a booster vaccination and are allowed to be quarantined at home for 45 days.
When dogs kill a skunk, something that isn't unusual in rural areas, the skunk will need to be tested for rabies. Do not handle the dead skunk. Instead, report it to local animal control officials.
If someone believes they have exposed to rabies, they need to contact their health care provider, Lawaczeck said. The human rabies vaccine is in limited supply, so local health care providers are being asked to contact local or state health officials when they have a patient who may have been exposed to rabies.
"Rabies is present throughout Cochise County, including the Sierra Vista and Fort Huachuca areas," Lawaczeck said. "The recent cases in the Benson and St. David areas indicate an outbreak of rabies influence."
RABIES
INFORMATION
For information about rabies call the Cochise County Health Department at 432-9400, Cochise County Animal Control at 432-9500, the Benson Animal Shelter at (520) 586-3600, or the Arizona Department of Health Services at (602) 364-4562. Additional information is available by going to the state health department's Web site at www.azdhs.gov.
All mammals can get rabies. Because of an increased incidence in the number of confirmed rabies cases in recent years, large animal veterinarians are urging horse owners to get all equines vaccinated against the virus, to include mules, donkeys and burros.
(Dana Cole is a reporter at the Sierras Vista Herald/Bisbee Daily Review. )
 |
 |
|
| Golf course owner wants to build condos | Boy scout wants to improve gravesites as Eagle Scout project |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
