Bovine Rabies – an Overview

Rabies is a zoonotic viral disease affecting cattle and other warm-blooded animals which is fatal in most species. Rabies virus is an enveloped, bullet-shaped RNA virus which belongs to the genus Lyssavirus in the family Rhabdoviridae. Cattle typically contract rabies from the bite of an infected animal, most frequently a wild animal such as a fox, raccoon, skunk, or a bat. The virus usually attacks the nervous system resulting in fatal neurological signs. Although rabies in cattle is uncommon, there is still a significant concern because of the disease’s capacity to spread throughout the herd and potential risk to humans.