Analysis of the results of epizootic monitoring of rabies in the Russian Federation in 2021

Abstract

Relevance. According to WHO, rabies is common on all continents except Antarctica. More than 55 thousand people die from it every year in the world. According to the Veterinary and Life information portal, up to 10 cases of human rabies are recorded in Russia every year. In 2020, according to statistical reports, 7 deaths were recorded (two of them in children under 17 years old), in 2021 — 6. In 2021, more than 333 thousand people applied for help to medical institutions after being bitten and attacked by animals. In most cases (68.5%) — it was dog attacks.Methods. Based on the data obtained from official reports in the 4-vet (annual) form for 2021, provided by state veterinary laboratories, the Federal State Budgetary Institution TsNMVL analyzed the epizootic situation and the prevalence of rabies in the Russian Federation.Results. On the territory of most subjects of the Russian Federation, an unfavorable situation for rabies persists. The disease is registered in all federal districts. The number of people turning to medical institutions for anti-rabies help is increasing. Human deaths are recorded every year. There is a high level of morbidity among animals. As a result of annual epizootic monitoring for 2021, 1189 positive results were obtained. Of these, 47% of cases occur in pets (dogs, cats), 44% — in wild animals, 9% — in farm animals. Unfavorable locations were recorded in 63 subjects of the Russian Federation. The tensest epizootic situation has developed in the Volga Federal District and the Central Federal District (385 and 257 positive cases, respectively).

Evidence of insufficient genetic data and lack of regular genetic research on rabies virus in the Russian Federation: a study of the recent epizootic situation

“…High-risk areas were recorded in 61 federal subjects of the Russian Federation. The worst epizootic situation has developed in Central and Volga Federal Districts (603 and 505 positive cases, respectively) [6].…”

“…Veterinary specialists use the following methods to diagnose the disease: light microscopy, fluorescent antibody method (MFA), enzyme immunoassay (ELISA), diffuse precipitation reaction (RDP), reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), bioassay on white mice, virus isolation in the cell culture of mouse neuroblastoma CCL-131 (or neurinoma of Gasser's node of the rat -NGUK-1). These methods are applicable to all members of the Lyssavirus genus [6,14].…”