| Rabies is a preventable disease. Modern day prophylaxes have proven nearly 100% successful. In the United States, human fatalities associated with rabies occur in people who fail to seek medical assistance, usually because they are unaware of their exposure. Over the last 100 years, rabies in the United States has changed dramatically. More than 90% of all animal cases reported to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now occur in wildlife; before 1960 the majority of cases were reported in domestic animals. The principal rabies hosts today are bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes. The decline in cases of domestic animals is attributed to animal control programs and vaccination of companion animals.
How you can help
Prevention and education are the keys to keeping you and your family safe from the disease. Listed below are ways to prevent exposure: - Vaccinate your pets. Dogs are required to be vaccinated for rabies at 4 months of age. Cats can be vaccinated as early as 8 weeks. The first rabies vaccine is effective for 1 year, and then should be re-vaccinated every 3 years.
- Gila County Rabies Control provides low cost Rabies Clinics periodically. Contact your local veterinarian, who may offer low cost vaccination clinics. Low cost clinics may also be available at some pet centers.
- Teach your children to respect wildlife, but keep a safe distance. Do not feed or provide harborage to wildlife on your property.
- Report any bite or scratch from a domestic or wild animal to Gila County Rabies Control (928) 425-5882.
- Report dead, sick or nesting bats immediately to Gila County Rabies Control (928) 425-5882. Do not attempt to confine the animal.
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