One bovine is among the 44 cases of rabies confirmed in the first six months of this year, according to Canadian Food Inspection Agency statistics.
CFIA veterinary program specialist Lynn Bates said the number of cases in cattle depends on the carrier species. In Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan, that means skunks. Bats are the most commonly infected carrier in Alberta.
These two mammals account for 36 of the cases this year.
The one confirmed bovine case is in Manitoba, where Bates said the number of rabid skunks has increased since the CFIA’s June 30 report.
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“The risk is there,” she said.
Cattle in Manitoba and Ontario appear to be more at risk, judging by recent statistics. Rabies is a reportable disease and CFIA reported six cases in Ontario cattle and two in Manitoba last year.
Manitoba reported four bovine cases in 2008, five in 2007 and 12 in 2006.
Saskatchewan has had one case in each of 2008 and 2007, and three in 2006.
Cattle that have been infected with rabies display neurological signs and die soon.
“You often get them hyper-salivating, drooling,” Bates said.
They can appear depressed and may bellow frequently.
“Those clinical signs appear very close to the point where the animal is close to dying,” she said.
Paralysis sets in about two days after, and death occurs within four or five days of the first symptoms appearing.
“In Manitoba, with neurological signs and a good clinical history, rabies would be high on your differential,” she said.
Animals suffering prolonged neurological symptoms would not likely have the disease.
However, producers don’t always know what their cattle have been doing or how they are acting. Tests would consider rabies and other diseases such as BSE.
Rabies must be ruled out because of possible human exposure.
Although human rabies deaths are rare in North America, people should seek medical advice as soon as possible after potential infection.
The virus is fragile and would not survive long in a dead animal.
However, skunks and bats can remain alive and carry the virus longer than other mammals.
Vaccines are available for domestic livestock but few people use them, Bates said.
“The message to farmers is, for a lot of different reasons, you need to watch your livestock,” she said.
Any neurological symptoms should be reported to private veterinarians and a positive confirmation of rabies would put the herd mates under quarantine for 40 to 60 days to see if the disease is incubating in other animals.
These animals should not go to slaughter.
