Animal borne rabies is a source of infection in humans, and raccoons (Procyon lotor) are the primary terrestrial reservoir in West Virginia (WV). To assess the behavior and status of raccoon variant rabies virus (RRV) in WV, a longitudinal analysis for the period 2000-2015 was performed, using data provided by the state Bureau of Public Health. Analytic approaches included linear-mixed, Poisson, and zero inflated Poisson regressions. Each of these approaches indicated that there had been a reduction in numbers of RRV positive animals over the study period, predominantly due to a decrease in raccoon infections. Non-raccoon species did not appear to have a similar decline, however. This has implications for the preventive measures currently being implemented. Spatial analyses of RRV and further examination of the virus in non-raccoon species are warranted. PeerJ Preprints | https://doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.3403v1 | CC BY 4.0 Open Access | rec Abstract 17 Animal borne rabies is a source of infection in humans, and raccoons (Procyon lotor) are 18 the primary terrestrial reservoir in West Virginia (WV). To assess the behavior and status of 19 raccoon variant rabies virus (RRV) in WV, a longitudinal analysis for the period 2000-2015 was 20 performed, using data provided by the state Bureau of Public Health. Analytic approaches 21 included linear-mixed, Poisson, and zero inflated Poisson regressions. Each of these approaches 22 indicated that there had been a reduction in numbers of RRV positive animals over the study 23 period, predominantly due to a decrease in raccoon infections. Non-raccoon species did not 24 appear to have a similar decline, however. This has implications for the preventive measures 25 currently being implemented. Spatial analyses of RRV and further examination of the virus in 26 non-raccoon species are warranted. 27 Introduction 28 Rabies causes an almost invariably fatal infection in any mammal, including humans. 29 This neurotropic virus is a lyssavirus, within the Rhabdoviridae family.(Prevention 2011a) 30 Rabies induced fatal encephalomyelitis is endemic throughout the Americas, with higher 31 numbers of human deaths in Mexico, Central America and South America.(Prevention 2011c) 32 Over the past 100 years, the species distribution of rabies and risk of human exposure in 33 the United States have changed dramatically because of coordinated vaccination efforts in 34 domestic animals, especially dogs and cats.(Prevention 2011b; Prevention 2011c) More than 36 1960, the majority were in domestic animals.(Prevention 2011b) The principal rabies hosts in the 37 U.S. today are wild mesocarnivores and bats,(Prevention 2017) and most human exposures 38 remain from carnivores. Although rabies kills thousands of people each year worldwide, human 39 deaths have decreased dramatically in the United States, (Lozano et al. 2012) primarily due to 40 successful preventive efforts. 41 Affected wildlife animals, including raccoons (Procyon lotor), often lose their fear of 42 humans and become active durin...
Epidemic Venezuelan equine encephalitis in North America in 1971: vertebrate field studies. Am J Epidemiol 101:36-50, 1975.-In June 1971, epidemic Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) invaded the lower Rio Grande Valley in south Texas. The Boca Chica area of Cameron County was selected as a study site to investigate vertebrate involvement in the natural cycle of epidemic VEE on the basis of considerable evidence of VEE virus activity there in equines, humans, and mosquito vectors. Only one VEE virus isolation was made from 4739 wild and domestic non-equine vertebrates, although numerous equine and human VEE virus isolations were made in concurrent studies. Serologic studies indicated that VEE virus activity was far greater in large domestic animals than in wild birds, wild mammals, or reptiles. Apparently epidemic VEE virus failed to establish itself in a wild vertebrate cycle in south Texas, since VEE antibody was found only in rabbits in 1972. Eventual cessation of VEE transmission in south Texas has been attributed 1) to the elimination of equines as a source of VEE virus by death, naturally acquired antibodies, or vaccination, 2) to quarantines, 3) to mosquito control, and 4) to the failure of epidemic VEE virus to become established in the wild vertebrate population. Equines emerge as the most important vertebrate host in the amplification and spread of virus during an epidemic of VEE.
Vertebrate animals collected in Haiti in 1972 were tested for selected zoonotic diseases. No rabies virus or neutralizing (N) antibody was detected in bats (Artibeus jamaicensis). However, N antibody against St. Louis encephalitis, Western equine encephalitis (WEE), and Eastern equine encephalitis were detected in resident species of birds and WEE antibody in bats. No N antibody against Venezuelan equine encephalitis was found. The possible introduction by migratory birds and local transmission of these arboviruses is discussed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.