(San Antonio, Tx) – People who visited the cattle barn at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo between February 11 and 14 may have been exposed to rabies.

One of the cows that was being shown had developed rabies and was capable of spreading the virus. State Health Department officials said people who visited the cattle barn may need to be assessed for possible rabies exposure.  Rabies is spread through the saliva, so anyone who had physical contact with the cow is at risk.

According to the health agency, rabies can be prevented if treatment is started before symptoms begin. Once symptoms start, it’s almost always fatal. It usually takes between three weeks and three months for someone exposed to rabies to get sick.