Rabies confirmed in a Brown County cow. MDH recommends shots for 9 people exposed

Key Points:

• A cow in Brown County, Minnesota, tested positive for rabies after showing neurological symptoms and being euthanized; its brain tissue confirmed the presence of the rabies virus on Sept. 8.
• Nine people who had contact with the infected cow or its saliva, including veterinarians and family members, were advised to receive rabies post-exposure prophylaxis as a precaution.
• The Minnesota Board of Animal Health quarantined 13 other cows and is monitoring over 40 cattle and other animals on the farm, while two unvaccinated barn cats were euthanized due to likely exposure.
• Rabies is a fatal viral disease transmitted mainly through bites from rabid animals such as skunks and bats, which are common carriers in Minnesota; symptoms in domestic animals can take weeks to develop.
• Health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination, biosecurity measures, and personal protective equipment when handling potentially infected animals to prevent rabies transmission.