Pinal County Animal Care and Control and the Pinal County Public Health Services District are jointly issuing a rabies advisory in the western Maricopa area of Pinal County.

A gray fox collected in this area tested positive for rabies at the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory.

The identification of rabid animals statewide serves as a reminder of the potential for rabies in wild animals in Arizona. Rabies is an infectious disease that affects the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord of animals and humans.

It is caused by a virus present in the saliva of infected animals and is transmitted to humans through contact with the live virus. Rabies is fatal to humans once symptoms appear. There is no test to screen for rabies.

While human exposure to rabid animals is rare, family pets are more often exposed to wild animals, including wild animals that are rabid. Vaccination against rabies is available through your veterinarian and will prevent pets from getting rabies if exposed to a rabid animal.

Pinal County Animal Care and Control has reduced-cost vaccination clinics offered throughout the county, with rabies vaccination for $10.00.

The first sign of rabies is usually a change in the animal's behavior. Animals may act more aggressively or be more tamed than usual. Rabid animals may appear agitated and excited or paralyzed and frightened. Sometimes, rabid animals do not show any signs of illness before death from rabies, so this is why contact with wild animals should always be avoided.