Cochise County: rabies cases climbed; health officials urge reporting, vaccination and caution around wildlife

Kimberly Mitchell, Public Health Preparedness Coordinator for Cochise County, told the board that rabies is a preventable viral disease that remains 100 percent fatal after symptoms begin and that confirmed rabies-positive animals have risen sharply in the county.

Mitchell said the county recorded 15 confirmed rabid animals in 2024 and had eight confirmed positives by early March 2025. She cautioned that those figures reflect positive test results from animals that were captured and submitted for laboratory testing; additional animal exposures that could not be sampled mean actual human exposures may be higher.

Mitchell explained Arizona Department of Health Services guidance distinguishing exposures and non-exposures: an exposure includes bites or non-bite contact where saliva, brain tissue or cerebrospinal fluid contacts an open wound or mucous membrane (eyes, nose or mouth). Non-exposures include petting an animal, contact with urine or feces, touching contaminated objects and being sprayed by a skunk. "We strongly, strongly advise against touching any potentially rabid animal or contaminated items with bare hands," Mitchell said.

County staff told the board that post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for humans is available only through emergency departments in Cochise County; the county health department and pharmacies do not provide PEP. Mitchell described the typical ER pathway: wound cleansing, administration of rabies immune globulin when indicated, and the start of the vaccine series (doses at day 0, 3, 7 and 14 for immunocompetent patients; immunosuppressed patients may require a fifth dose).

Mitchell also stressed reporting requirements: animal-bite incidents must be reported to local law enforcement under Arizona law, and cooperation among public health, hospitals, USDA and animal control is essential to determine PEP need and to obtain animal samples for testing. The county noted its outreach work: social-media campaigns, meetings with state partners, coordination with Fort Huachuca, and a planned public presentation at Kartchner (Karcher) Caverns with the state veterinarian.

Mitchell highlighted the species most frequently testing positive in 2025 as skunks and foxes, and reminded residents to avoid feeding or leaving water out for wildlife, to handle dead animals only with gloves or tools, and to seek immediate medical attention and report bites if a potential exposure occurs.

A resident on the call praised quick local responses from the sheriff's department and public health and said the USDA specimen-collection role had been important; county staff said the USDA position was briefly terminated and then reinstated after the department raised concerns with state officials.

The county provided links to Arizona Department of Health Services guidance and urged residents to contact emergency departments immediately after a bite and to report incidents to local law enforcement.