MARSHALL — State officials are advising Minnesotans to vaccinate their pets, horses, and cattle against rabies due to an increase in cases in Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, and Rock counties in southwestern Minnesota, as well as Stearns County in central Minnesota.
Senior epidemiologist Carrie Klumb from the State Health Department noted, “It’s not typical to see farmers vaccinating their cattle if it’s a big herd but, if farmers were considering it, now would be a good year to vaccinate cattle, given that we’re seeing this increase.”
Minnesota typically sees three to five rabies cases annually in skunks, a primary reservoir of the disease, but this year there have been 12 cases so far. Additionally, 24 people have required rabies shots due to exposure or suspected contact with a rabid animal. Rabies is nearly 100 percent fatal in humans if not treated promptly. If you or someone you know may have been exposed, particularly through contact with a bat, contact your healthcare provider immediately or call the state Health Department at 651-201-5414.
