As Arizona rabies cases rise, officials advise vaccinations for pets and livestock

The Arizona Department of Health Services says 51 animals in the state have tested positive for rabies so far this year — more than twice as many compared to the same period last year.

Residents are urged to take precautions to keep their pets safe.

Frank LoVecchio is a medical toxicologist for Valleywise Health. He administers rabies vaccines when needed but says the threat to humans is low.

"People should rest assured that if they get timely treatment, that the chance of getting rabies, true rabies and dying from rabies, approaches zero," LoVecchio said.

Skunks and foxes have the most confirmed cases for rabies. However, LoVecchio warns that bats, which have a high concentration of the virus if they are affected, should specifically be avoided, as well as any animal that exhibits unusual behavior.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department advises residents to keep pets and livestock vaccinated. The agency reported that any unvaccinated animals that come in contact with the virus should be quarantined for four months, while vaccinated animals can be quarantined for 45 days.

"We see many of the animals that tested positive for rabies, foxes, skunks and bats, and that's not a huge surprise, but if they start intermingling with other animals, or if we come into contact with them, then they could be a problem," LoVecchio said.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The headline has been updated to correct that the Arizona Department of Game and Fish recommends rabies vaccinations for pets and livestock.