Over the last nine years, there have been 17 cases of bovine rabies in Kansas. In several of those years, cattle were the most common domestic species diagnosed with rabies in our state. Any bovine observed to have neurological problems — head pressing, constant vocalization, choking, staggering, etc. — should be considered rabid until other diseases are ruled out.
Human infection occurs through a rabid-animal bite or saliva contamination of an open wound. Several cases of human exposure have occurred when producers have attempted to relieve an apparent choke or while attempting to force feed a rabid animal.
The number of human-bovine hands-on interactions is greater in herds who participate in livestock shows. Because of the heightened interactions and because bovine rabies is relatively common in Kansas, we recommend that all show cattle be vaccinated against this disease.
Rabies vaccines are one of the least expensive and most clinically effective vaccines available in veterinary medicine. In Kansas, a licensed veterinarian must administer this vaccine. Contact your veterinarian to schedule a time to have your show animals vaccinated before the show season starts this year.
Thank you to Dr. Gregg Hanzlicek from the KSU Vet Diagnostic Lab for the information in this article.
If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact Hunter Nickell, Livestock Production Agent at any Southwind Extension District Office, or by email at nickell99@ksu.edu.
