Cochise County reports recent rabies exposures in wildlife; officials expand education and dispatch guidance

Cochise County public-health staff reported an increase in rabies detections among wild animals in late 2024 and described outreach to first responders, veterinarians and the public to improve case handling and postexposure care.

Axel Lopez, epidemiologist, said the county has seen several incidents involving wild animals — historically skunks, and more recently three fox incidents near Hereford and the Huachuca City area. "Rabies has been picking up," Lopez said, and the health department has launched an education campaign to remind residents about avoiding contact with wildlife and seeking emergency care after potential exposures.

Dan (last name not given), speaking for public-safety communications, described guidance sent to dispatch centers across the county and to physician offices. "We made contact with them just recently and gave them some guidelines on how to figure out how to deal with the animal that they have been exposed with, who should be called, who should be notified," he said, adding that dispatch centers now have a packet to guide calls regarding animal bites and possible rabies exposure.

County staff said they are pursuing a broader, multiagency rabies committee that would include Arizona Game and Fish and federal wildlife partners to coordinate surveillance and communications.

Why it matters: Rabies is a reportable and potentially fatal disease; prompt identification of exposures and coordination between dispatch, animal control, veterinarians and health providers is important to ensure timely postexposure prophylaxis for people.

What was not decided: The meeting recorded no formal actions; county staff described ongoing communications and planned interagency meetings to coordinate response.