KOLD News 13 live, local and late breaking-Pima County has most cases of rabies
Member Center:
Associated Press - March 21, 2009 4:34 AM ET
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Pima County has had more cases of rabid animals this year than any other county while Arizona is on track to set a rabies record for the second consecutive year, state officials said.
The Arizona Department of Health Services said 59 animals tested positive for rabies statewide this year. Of those, 21 were in Pima County. Cochise and Coconino counties each had 13 cases.
Last year, 176 cases of rabies in animals were confirmed in Arizona. The previous record of 169 cases was set in 2005.
Rabies causes acute swelling of the brain and is always fatal to untreated humans.
This year, 35 skunks, 21 foxes, one bobcat, one ringtail and one horse have tested positive for rabies, according to the DHS.
Those animals exposed seven people and 39 pets to the viral disease. Fifteen of the rabid skunks and 6 of the infected foxes were in Pima County.
Information from: Tucson Citizen, http://www.tucsoncitizen.com
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
