Rabies Confirmed in Brown County Cow; Nine People Recommended for Post-Exposure Treatment
Published: September 17, 2026.
MINNESOTA — A cow in Brown County has tested positive for rabies, prompting Minnesota health officials to recommend post-exposure treatment for nine people who may have come into contact with saliva from the infected animal.
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health confirmed that a Hereford heifer tested positive for rabies on Sept. 8. The case has also resulted in the quarantine of 13 cows, while more than 40 additional cattle and several other animals are being monitored for possible exposure.
Rabies is a preventable viral disease affecting the central nervous system of mammals. The virus is most commonly transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, although exposure can also occur when infected saliva contacts the eyes, nose, mouth, or a fresh open wound.
Cow Began Showing Unusual Behavior Beginning of September
According to the Board of Animal Health, the owner first noticed something was wrong with the heifer on September 1, 2026, when the animal lay flat with its head down and behaved unusually. A veterinarian examined the animal that day, and the owner administered oral medication using bare hands. A second veterinarian examined the heifer the following day and also administered oral medication without wearing gloves.
By September 3rd, the animal's condition had worsened. A third veterinarian reported that the cow had uncoordinated hind legs, was high-stepping, vocalizing, and hypersalivating. The animal also had a high temperature. The heifer was humanely euthanized, and its head was submitted to the Minnesota Department of Health Public Health Laboratory for rabies testing. The positive result was confirmed Sept. 8.
“When we see livestock acting strangely, rabies may not be the first thing people think of to explain the behavior,” Dr. Steve Kivisto, senior veterinarian leading the rabies program at the Board, said.
Kivisto said rabies is so severe that people working with animals showing unexplained neurological symptoms should take precautions until the cause is known.
“Given the severity of the disease, it’s better to assume an animal is infected until proven otherwise, and to be sure to take the proper precautions and use the correct personal protective equipment when working with a rabies suspect animal,” Kivisto said.
Nine People Recommended for Rabies Treatment
The Minnesota Department of Health recommended that nine people receive rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, because they may have been exposed to saliva from the infected cow. Those potentially exposed included the owner, the owner's daughter, two minor children, two veterinarians who examined the animal, and three veterinary technicians who assisted with its care. Officials recommended that those individuals receive PEP or appropriate rabies booster vaccinations.
Post-exposure prophylaxis typically involves human rabies immune globulin and a series of rabies vaccinations administered at specified intervals. The treatment is intended to prevent rabies from developing following a potential exposure. Although bites are the most common route of rabies transmission, health officials said people treating animals with an unexplained neurological illness should use gloves and eye protection to prevent saliva from reaching their eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound.
“Consistent use of PPE when treating ill animals can help prevent exposure to rare illnesses such as rabies,” State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Stacy Holzbauer said. “Additionally, MDH staff are available for consultation for any animal bite situation to assess rabies risk and provide recommendations for rabies prophylaxis.”
Cattle Quarantined, Other Animals Monitored
The Board of Animal Health quarantined 13 cows following the positive test. More than 40 additional cattle will remain under observation for signs of rabies. A horse on the property may also have been exposed. Officials said the horse is up to date on its rabies vaccinations and will remain under observation.
Officials will also monitor three vaccinated dogs. Two unvaccinated barn cats believed to have been exposed were euthanized, according to the Board.
Officials noted that numerous skunks had been observed earlier this year on neighboring property owned by a relative. That property adjoins the area where the infected cow had been kept. Officials did not state that a skunk was confirmed as the source of the cow's infection.
Bats and Skunks Are Primary Rabies Carriers in Minnesota
Wild animals account for most rabies cases reported annually in Minnesota, with bats and skunks serving as the state's natural carriers of the virus. Fewer than 15% of Minnesota's rabid animal cases reported annually involve domestic species, according to the Board. Among domestic animals, cattle, cats, and dogs are the species most commonly involved.
Symptoms can vary widely depending on the species and virus strain, but behavioral changes and neurological problems are common.
Cattle infected with rabies may frequently bellow and develop difficulty walking or swallowing. Cats may become aggressive, while dogs can display symptoms ranging from aggression and swallowing problems to paralysis. After a domestic animal is exposed, the incubation period can range from about two to 26 weeks, depending on factors such as the location of the exposure and the amount of virus entering the body.
The Board said most domestic animals that develop rabies show clinical signs and die within three to 12 weeks. Domestic animals exposed to rabies that are not currently vaccinated can be quarantined for 45 to 180 days to reduce the chance of the virus spreading to people or other animals.
Vaccination Remains an Important Defense
State animal health officials are urging livestock producers and pet owners to ensure animals are properly vaccinated against rabies.
“Vaccination is very effective and directly saves the lives of exposed animals,” Kivisto said. “Vaccines are readily available for dogs, cats, ferrets, cattle, horses and sheep.”
Officials recommend that animal owners reduce rabies risk by keeping vaccinations current, preventing pets and livestock from interacting with wildlife, particularly bats and skunks, and avoiding unfamiliar or wild animals. People should also report stray animals or animals displaying unusual behavior to local animal control, bat-proof homes where possible, and avoid animals exhibiting abnormal behavior while hunting or trapping.
Anyone traveling, particularly internationally, should also avoid contact with unfamiliar dogs and cats.
If a pet bites a person, the animal must generally be confined and observed for 10 days. According to state officials, a domestic animal cannot transmit rabies until the virus is present in its saliva, which occurs near the end of the disease process. An infected domestic animal would be expected to develop clinical signs during that 10-day observation period.
People with questions about a possible pet or livestock exposure to rabies can contact the Minnesota Board of Animal Health at 651-201-6808.
Questions involving possible human exposure to rabies can be directed to the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-5414.
Cover photo credit: Minnesota Department of Health
Written by: Will Wight
