Officials: Rabid cow shown at San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, public may have been exposed

People who visited the cattle barn at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo between February 11 and 14 may have been exposed to rabies, officials with the Texas Department of State Health Services reported Saturday. The cow, a solid black Brangus heifer, had developed rabies and was capable of spreading the virus during those dates. People who visited the cattle barn during this time period may need to be assessed for possible rabies exposure, officials said. The cow was being shown by a student from the Miller Grove Independent School District in Hopkins County, just east of Dallas, according to a news release. Because rabies is spread through the saliva, officials are warning that anyone who had contact with this cow by putting their hands in the cow’s mouth or nose or who may have had any contact with the animal’s saliva should be evaluated for rabies exposure. People who didn’t have that kind of contact with the cow are not at risk. The animal was only outside of the barn while being shown and while being loaded for transport. Public health officials have been assessing risk in people who were caring for and handling the cow and as well as for animals in nearby stalls during that time period...MORE