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In order to derive phylogenetic relationships between rabies virus isolates from different geographical locations and host species in South Africa, two genome regions of the virus, viz. the cytoplasmic domain of the glycoprotein and the G-L intergenic region (pseudogene), were sequenced. A high level of nucleic acid sequence conservation indicated a close phylogenetic relationship between virus isolates from domestic dogs, jackals and bat-eared foxes, i.e. Canidae. These isolates aot~eared to be distinct from but closely related to European strains of rabies virus. However, a phylogenetically distinguishable and distant group, which contained isolates from mongooses (i.e. Viverridae) was identifiable. The latter group appears to be distantly related to European and vaccine strains of rabies virus and may have evolved uniquely on the central plateau of South Africa. Our data also indicate that spillover from mongooses (or other viverrids) to canid hosts occurs occasionally.

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Five cases of Mokola virus, a lyssavirus related to rabies, are described. The cases occurred in cats from the East London, Pinetown and Pietermaritzburg areas of South Africa from February 1996 to February 1998. Each of the cats was suspected of being rabid and their brains were submitted for laboratory confirmation. Four of the cases were positive, but with atypical fluorescence, and 1 was negative. Mokola virus infection was identified by anti-lyssavirus nucleocapsid monoclonal antibody typing. As in rabies cases, the predominant clinical signs were of unusual behaviour. Aggression was present, but only during handling. Four of the 5 cats had been vaccinated for rabies, which is consistent with other studies that show that rabies vaccination does not appear to protect against Mokola virus. Since Mokola may be confused with rabies, the incidence of Mokola virus may be more common in Africa than is currently reported. As human infections may be fatal, the emergence of this virus is a potential threat to public health