KINGMAN – Mohave County Department of Public Health was notified of an incident which involves a bobcat, a wild animal. The animal tested positive for rabies in the Aquarius Mountain area (east of Kingman, off I-40). The county’s Public Health Nurses are working with the humans exposed to the bobcat while Game and Fish and Animal Control are dealing with the animal exposed.
The rabies virus causes severe damage to the central nervous system causing erratic behavior and death. Human exposures to rabid animals are usually rare and can be treated through prompt administration of anti-rabies vaccine and rabies immune globulin.
If someone has been bitten by an animal or had contact with the saliva of a wild animal, seek immediate medical attention. Rabies treatment, if needed, must begin quickly.
Safety Tips:
Keep a distance from wild animals or stray domesticated animals. Do not have physical contact with them.
Never bring wild animals into homes. Call animal control for retrieval.
Do not feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.
Protect pets by making sure they are up to date on their rabies vaccine.
Keep pets on a leash while recreating in the outdoors.
Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
If bitten, seek immediate medical attention.
To report a bite from a wild animal or an animal acting suspicious, please call the Arizona Game and Fish Department at 928-692-7700 or the 24-hour hotline at 800-352-0700. In an emergency, call 9-1-1.
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