Cochise County health officials warn rabies is nearly always fatal but preventable; treatment can cost thousands

Cochise County public-health staff warned the Board of Health that rabies remains a life-threatening but preventable condition, and urged residents to report animal bites to animal control and seek prompt medical care.

Axel (public-health preparedness coordinator) described how exposures are triaged: brief contact or intact-skin touches are low risk, superficial cuts are moderate risk and deep bites are highest risk, often triggering a combination of rabies immunoglobulin and multiple vaccine doses. “Rabies is 100 percent fatal,” Axel said, adding that timely wound care and the post‑exposure vaccination series make it almost entirely preventable.

Why it matters: the county coordinates animal-control investigation, specimen packaging and courier pickup for StateLab testing in Phoenix; staff said turnaround is typically one to three days, a window that often factors into decisions about immediate treatment. Axel told the board that a hospital bill example for an average adult (before insurance) could run about $11,000 because of the number of doses and immunoglobulin required, though costs vary by body weight and insurance coverage.

Board members and clinicians pressed hospital representatives about where patients could receive follow‑up vaccine doses without repeated ER visits. A hospital pharmacist explained that patients commonly receive the first dose in an ER, then are scheduled as outpatients for remaining injections through an outpatient infusion clinic. County staff agreed to collect each hospital’s protocol and post guidance for providers and patients.

What officials recommend: report wildlife bites or scratches to animal control immediately; household pets should be kept current on rabies vaccinations; wound care (wash with soap and water) reduces transmission risk and patients should consult medical care promptly for assessment. County staff noted courier and testing logistics can affect timing and urged early contact with animal control when possible.

Next steps: the county will follow up with partner hospitals to clarify protocols for outpatient follow-up and will publish a resource sheet for clinicians and the public on where to get prophylaxis and local testing procedures.