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Minnesota officials describe rare cluster of rabid dairy steers that cost farm tens of thousands
Summary
Minnesota Department of Health investigators described a May 2024 cluster of rabid steers on a dairy farm that triggered expanded quarantines, animal testing, PEP for family members and veterinary boosters, and roughly $47,500 in combined farm and medical costs.
Minnesota public‑health officials described a rare occupational rabies cluster at a dairy farm that sickened multiple steers in May 2024, prompted an extended herd quarantine and imposed substantial costs on the farm and its owners.
Carrie Klum, senior epidemiologist and rabies surveillance coordinator at the Minnesota Department of Health, said the sequence began on May 11, 2024, when one steer died after neurologic signs. A second steer developed signs on May 13 and tested positive for rabies on May 16. Additional steers became symptomatic and tested positive on May 22 and May 27. The state’s Board of Animal Health and MDH conducted a joint investigation, placed remaining animals under quarantine and implemented testing and quarantine extensions.
Klum said the initial quarantine of 33 remaining steers was extended from 45 to 120 days after new positive tests. Twelve unvaccinated cats on the farm were euthanized and the herd veterinarian sustained an occupational exposure — a puncture to glove and skin while performing diagnostics — and received two rabies booster shots in lieu of the full PEP series because of prior pre‑exposure vaccination.
Klum summarized the financial consequences for the farm: routine herd pre‑exposure vaccination would have cost about $310, while the outbreak produced approximately $47,500 in combined veterinary, testing, vaccine and animal‑loss costs. The cluster represented roughly 37% of the farm’s annual income and delayed sales and loan payments for the owners. One additional steer showed signs later but was not submitted for testing; Klum said the owners delayed reporting because they feared additional quarantine costs.
Public‑health takeaway: Klum recommended considering routine livestock vaccination in regions where terrestrial rabies is prevalent and urged stronger, dedicated funding for animal rabies surveillance and programs to help farmers absorb testing and quarantine costs. She stressed coordination among veterinary diagnostic labs, state public‑health labs and animal‑health authorities for rapid testing and quarantine decisions.
Klum concluded: “Having a rabid animal on a farm is a rare but high‑consequence event,” and urged that surveillance programs be fully funded so testing costs can be covered and farmers receive better support.
