Officials Issue Advisory After Rabid Cow Identified At San Antonio Stock Show, Rodeo

The animal was only outside of the barn while being shown and loaded and unloaded for transport.

Public health officials have been in contact with the people who were caring for the cow and the animals in nearby stalls, so their risk can be assessed.

Rabies is spread through the saliva of infected animals.

Anyone who put their hand in the cow’s mouth or nose or had contact between the animal’s saliva and an open wound or mucous membrane like the eyes, nose or mouth should be evaluated for rabies exposure.

“Someone in that situation should contact their health care provider as soon as possible and explain the situation,” officials said. “People who didn’t have that kind of contact with the cow are not at risk of contracting the disease.”

Rabies can be prevented if treatment is started before symptoms begin, however, once symptoms start, it’s almost always fatal, according to officials. 

It can take between three weeks and three months for someone exposed to rabies to become ill. 

Bexar County residents who visited the cattle barn on those dates and have questions may contact the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District at 210-207-8876.

Residents of all counties may contact their DSHS regional Zoonosis Control office. Maps of the fairgrounds and the cattle barn with the location of the stall, which is marked in red, are available at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news/releases/2020/20200229.aspx