Minnesota Among 4 States Seeing Rise in Rabies Cases In Cattle, Linked To Skunks

ST. PAUL, MN — Minnesota is among four Upper Midwest states seeing an uptick in rabies cases in cattle, with skunks identified as the source of transmission, state animal health officials say.

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health issued a joint notification with Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska this week, warning of ongoing circulation of the North Central skunk variant of rabies across the region.

Since 2024, 10 cattle have tested positive across Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota, affecting seven dairy cows, two beef cattle and one show animal.

Investigators have linked the infections to contact with rabid skunks.

Across the four-state region, 25 skunks have tested positive for rabies during the same period. Nebraska has not reported a rabid cow since 2021, but officials said the presence of both the North Central and South Central rabies variants in Nebraska wildlife signals the need for continued vigilance.

"Because rabies testing in livestock is largely dependent on animals being reported and tested after showing signs of illness, the true number of cases is potentially higher than what is confirmed," the notification states.

The Prairie Pothole region of the Upper Midwest supports high densities of striped skunks, creating conditions favorable for wildlife-to-livestock transmission. Skunks are opportunistic foragers and readily enter cattle areas in search of spilled grain, calf feed or other food sources. They may also shelter in barns, silage piles or haystacks, increasing the likelihood of contact with cattle.

A 2024 rabies cluster in a Minnesota dairy herd resulted in approximately $35,000 in direct costs.

Officials estimate the loss in sales value for the 10 cattle identified in the report at roughly $13,000 in inflation-adjusted dollars, not counting veterinary care or disposal or replacement costs.

Veterinarians are encouraged to discuss rabies vaccination with livestock producers, particularly for high-value animals such as show stock or breeding cattle.

Signs of rabies in cattle can be easy to miss at first.

Early symptoms include reduced appetite, isolation, abnormal vocalization and subtle behavioral changes. Because early throat and facial paralysis can cause drooling and difficulty swallowing, the disease is sometimes mistaken for "choke." As infection progresses, animals may show sudden aggression, increased sensitivity to touch or sound, stumbling or hindlimb weakness, followed by paralysis.

Anyone who sees a skunk behaving abnormally should consider rabies. Warning signs include daytime activity, loss of fear of humans, unprovoked aggression, disorientation or staggering, and unusual vocalizations. Skunks that bite a person or animal should be humanely euthanized without damaging the head and submitted for rabies testing.

People who believe they may have been exposed to rabies should immediately contact a healthcare provider or public health officials to discuss the need for post-exposure treatment.