Williams News Logo
Grand Canyon News Logo

Trusted local news leader for Williams AZ and the Grand Canyon

Rabies quarantine reaches Williams
Measure effective June 14-25

Ryan Williams/WGCN<br>
Williams Animal Control Officer Leah Payne, pictured above, said she has not tested animals for new rabies cases yet this year.

Ryan Williams/WGCN<br> Williams Animal Control Officer Leah Payne, pictured above, said she has not tested animals for new rabies cases yet this year.

WILLIAMS - On June 1, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors declared a rabies quarantine for the greater Flagstaff area, which includes a portion of the Williams city limits. The quarantine will be effective June 14-25, according to county officials. The two-week quarantine will allow for the placement of rabies vaccination packets throughout portions of northern Arizona. County officials said in a recent press release that the quarantine was designed to "ensure that the bait packets are ingested by the intended wildlife, and not domestic pets." The quarantine is expected to be reduced after June 25.

Williams Animal Control Officer Leah Payne said it was vitally important for pets to have their rabies vaccinations. A similar quarantine in 2009 came close to Williams. Payne called the 2010 quarantine a precautionary measure to help stifle the spread of rabies.

"Really our numbers have dropped through the whole state this year compared

to last year," Payne said."We still have high numbers though. I submitted six or seven skunks last year. They all tested negative. However, my three bats tested positive."

So far, she said she has not submitted any animals for testing.

There are a number of different scenarios when it comes to rabies quarantines.

"If you have a domestic animal that bites a person, then it's a different set of rules. If the dog is vaccinated against rabies, then at the discretion of the animal control officer, we can allow a 10 day home quarantine," Payne said.

If an animal is not vaccinated, Payne said it would be housed in a holding facility. Fees are the responsibility of the animal's owner.

If there are no signs of rabies during that quarantine period, Payne said it typically means rabies was not present at the time of the exposure.

"Then there is no further risk to the person. If they develop some signs or symptoms during that timeframe, then the animal is humanely euthanized and tested. Then the person has to go through rabies shots," Payne said.

Other rules apply for domestic animals that have been exposed to a rabid animal, Payne added.

"If the animal is vaccinated and exposed to a potentially rabid animal, then animal control must be notified, the dog must be quarantined for 45 days and the wild animal should be submitted for rabies testing, if the animal is available. If it's not available then you are to assume that it is rabid," Payne said.

A dog that has not been vaccinated and has been exposed to a potentially rabid animal will be quarantined for 180 days at the owner's expense and possibly euthanized.

"If it's a domestic animal versus domestic animal, proof of rabies vaccination is usually all that's required, unless it's exhibiting signs of rabies at the time of the attack," Payne said.

For more information on rabies and the current quarantine, contact Coconino County Animal Management at (928) 679-8750 or the Williams Police Department at (928) 635-4461. The declaration of quarantine for the affected areas can also be viewed online at www.coconino.az.gov/health.


Donate Report a Typo Contact