A bull has tested positive for rabies in central Illinois. The Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois Department of Agriculture reported that the bull showed signs of rabies on Monday, January 24.
In a press release, the IDPH reported that the bull was pastured in east Macon County and that owner had not reported any known exposure to odd acting wild animals, but did report many wild animal sightings on his property.
IDPH advised the public to avoid approaching any animals with signs of rabies and to call animal control to report the sighting. The first sign of rabies is usually a change in the animal’s behavior. Animal’s don’t have to be “foaming at the mouth” to have rabies. Other signs include difficulty walking, a general appearance of sickness or a change in the animal’s behavior.
IDPH says the last domestic animal with rabies in the state was reported in 2005 in a cow that had been pastured in both Bureau and LaSalle counties. A horse tested positive for rabies in 2004 that had been pastured in LaSalle County.
