Kitten in Pennington County Tests Positive for Rabies 

A Pennington County kitten tested positive for rabies Feb. 28.

The kitten wandered onto a property a few months ago and was seen inside the property owner’s barn. On Feb. 26, the kitten had a swollen eye and was believed to have been attacked by another animal. The kitten was brought inside the home to receive care. On Feb. 28, the kitten bit the property owner. The owner brought the kitten to the local humane society. The kitten’s condition worsened, and was taken to a nearby veterinary clinic. A technician at the clinic was bit by the kitten. On Feb. 28, the kitten was euthanized and submitted to the North Dakota State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. Results were positive for rabies later that day. This kitten marks the first feline in Minnesota to test positive for rabies in 2025.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) interviewed veterinary staff and recommended that the exposed technician receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). No other person at the clinic was directly exposed to the kitten. MDH confirmed that only two humane society staff had contact with the kitten, but neither touched its mouth and were not bitten or scratched. The property owner also started post-exposure treatment after being informed by the humane society that the kitten tested positive.

During an investigation with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health (Board), the property owner explained there were about six stray cats roaming his property that were assumed to be unvaccinated. These cats may have had exposure to the kitten, but they could not be captured for vaccination or confinement. The Board recommended that the property owner no longer offer the cats food to lessen their interest in visiting the area in case the cats were owned by someone nearby. The owner had two indoor/outdoor cats of his own that were previously vaccinated against rabies in 2020. They were given rabies vaccine boosters and were placed under a 45-day observation period. Two additional outdoor cats had been previously vaccinated but were overdue. These case were unable to be captured and therefore not given rabies boosters following the incident. The owner was advised to observe these cats for 120 days out of caution.

While not strictly a seasonal disease, rabies cases often rise when warmer weather encourages wildlife activity. The Board recommends vaccinating domestic animals, and keeping vaccinations up to date, to reduce the chances of infection should they encounter infected wildlife.

The Board publishes rabies alerts when a domestic animal tests positive for rabies in Minnesota. If you have questions about a suspected or confirmed rabies exposure to domestic animals call 651-201-6808. To find information on rabies in animals, and to view a map of positive cases in Minnesota, visit our website.

If you have questions concerning rabies exposure in people, please contact the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-5414.