PHOENIX (AP) -- Officials with the Arizona Department of Health Services say the state is on track to count a record number of rabies cases this year.

They are warning people to take precautions to avoid being exposed to the fatal disease, including avoiding wild animals that appear sick and having their pets vaccinated.

Since January, 161 wild animals and one pet have tested positive for rabies, and 38 people and 119 pets have been exposed, many in recent weeks.

In 2005, 169 animals tested positive.

Recent human exposures include a hiker attacked by a rabid fox near Prescott on Monday. Rabid animals have been recently found in Flagstaff, Tucson and the Catalina Foothills in Pima County.

People who contract rabies invariably die unless they receive treatment.

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