The uptick of confirmed cases of rabies in Minnesota this year is a reminder to keep an eye on livestock and pets this summer – and for veterinarians and producers to take precautions as they go about their business.
Rabies cases are up by 30-plus percent in Minnesota for 2024, so far. On Friday, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health released data showing 32 cases of rabies have been confirmed. Last year, at this same time, 20 cases of rabies had been confirmed in Minnesota.
Of the 32 cases reported in the state so far this year, six have been in cattle.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported the rabies spike is concentrated in southwest and central Minnesota, driven by rabid skunks.
A smattering of rabies cases in cattle have been confirmed in other states this year, as well. They include: Montana (1), North Carolina (3), Pennsylvania (4) and Texas (3).
Number of Cases in 2022
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) collects and analyzes data on rabies cases in animals and humans from state health departments.
The most recent report, “Rabies Surveillance in the United States,” from 2022 gives a detailed look at the current rabies landscape across animal species in the United States.
In 2022, there were 42 cases of rabies confirmed in U.S. cattle.
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The CDC says wild animals account for >90% of reported cases, with bats (33%), raccoons (30%), skunks (20%), and foxes (7%) most often exposing people and other animals to rabies.
An estimated 60,000 Americans are treated each year after possible exposure to rabies, the CDC says.
There were no rabies deaths in humans reported in 2019 or 2020, but there were five in 2021. The last time five U.S. rabies deaths were reported in a single year was 2011, CDC officials say.
