A cow has tested positive for rabies in Barrow County, according to county officials.
Barrow County Animal Control confirmed the animal was recently located near Nunnally Road SE.
Officials urge pet and livestock owners in the surrounding area to monitor animals for signs of illness and to ensure they are up to date on rabies vaccinations.
Rabies in cattle is uncommon. But according to Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, rabies cases in cattle had been on the rise in Texas about five years ago. A report by the university found the number of cases in 2021 (16) had already surpassed those reported in 2020 (8) – a year in which the number of cases doubled that of 2019.
There were only three cases in Texas statewide last year, according to the university.
In livestock herds, according to the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the rabies virus is often shed in saliva. To reduce the risk of exposure, livestock owners and veterinarians in the vicinity of a recent positive infection should wear personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles and a mask during physical exams, necropsies or when collecting specimens from animals suspected of containing rabies.
Anyone in the Barrow County area who observes an animal with symptoms of rabies is asked report it immediately by calling (770) 307-3012.
Rabies can cause a variety of symptoms in animals, including following signs:
- Aggression or unusual behavior
- Loss of coordination or stumbling
- Excessive drooling or difficulty swallowing
- Paralysis
- Seizures
