Arizona wildlife officials are seeing an uptick in coyotes acting confused and ill in neighborhoods, parks and greenbelts—and lab tests confirm why: canine distemper. It doesn’t infect humans, but it can be deadly for unvaccinated dogs, which is why authorities are telling pet owners to move quickly on prevention.
What’s happening now
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) says reports of “sick or disoriented” coyotes have climbed in recent weeks across Maricopa County. Confirmatory testing points to canine distemper—a highly contagious virus that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of canids. Recent sightings have included parts of east Mesa, Apache Junction and central Phoenix.
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