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Bobcat tests positive for rabies in Arizona county
azcentral.com and The Arizona Republic • • health
Key Points:
- A bobcat found in the Cherry Creek and Dagger Canyon area of Gila County tested positive for rabies, prompting Animal Care & Control to urge residents to report any contact with the animal or potential exposure of pets immediately.
- The positive rabies test result was confirmed by the Arizona State Laboratory on November 6, with no reported human or pet exposures disclosed so far.
- From January to June 2026, Arizona reported 28 confirmed rabies cases in animals, including bats, skunks, bobcats, and a coati, highlighting ongoing wildlife rabies risks in the state.
- Officials advise residents to keep children and pets away from wild animals, ensure rabies vaccinations are current, and seek immediate medical care if bitten or scratched by wildlife.
- The Arizona Game and Fish Department emphasized that while bats, skunks, and foxes are primary rabies hosts, other mammals like bobcats and coyotes can also carry the virus, urging caution around aggressive or unusually tame wildlife.
