Genetic evidence for domestic raccoon dog rabies caused by Arctic-like rabies virus in Inner Mongolia, China

Abstract

An outbreak of rabies affected domestic raccoon dogs on an animal farm in Inner Mongolia, China in 2007. A study was conducted to characterize the aetiological agent and clarify the origin of the rabies virus. Brain tissues were obtained from five rabid raccoon dogs. Viral nucleoprotein antigen was detected in the brain tissues and five rabies viruses were isolated from these rabid animals. Phylogenetic analysis of the N and G gene sequences showed that these isolates were closely related to Arctic-like rabies viruses isolated from the far-eastern region of Russia and South Korea, but distinct from the rabies viruses that are widely distributed in endemic areas in China. Epidemiological data suggested that the likely source of infection was from one wild raccoon dog that was captured and placed in the same type of pen used for domestic raccoon dogs.

Rabies Outbreaks and Vaccination in Domestic Camels and Cattle in Northwest China

“…Molecular epidemiological studies on rabies viruses isolated in China indicate that the viruses can be divided into 6 lineages (China I–VI) [1], in which rabies cases in Northwest China in the last 10 years have all been caused by dog-associated China I and wildlife-associated China III and IV [3–5,17]. In the northwestern region of China, including NHAR, Gansu, XUAR and IMAR, there were hardly any reported human rabies cases before 2011 due to the sparse population, geographically remote regions and climatic extremes [3].…”

“…Most livestock cases occurring in China as spillover from rabid carnivores have been reported as accidents in which vaccination of livestock was not performed to prevent re-emergence of rabies [5,17]. However, infected livestock, particularly cattle and camels, possibly with furious signs of rabies, provide a potential risk to veterinarians and handlers [8].…”

The science of rabies in tropical regions: From epidemiological pandemonium to prevention

“…Owing to reasons like poor dog control, in Asia 85-90% of cases are due to transmission of the virus through dog bites (Tao et al 2009;Nadin et al 2011). Rabies virus collected from China shares genetic characteristics with its ancestors (Yamagata et al 2007;Shao et al 2011;Zhenyang et al 2013). Zhenyang et al (2013) affirmed the phylogenetic variations and relationships between different strains collected in China and neighboring countries.…”

Epidemiological Characteristics of Rabies in South Korea from January 2004 to March 2011

“…This might be in part related to natural population density fluctuations in animals (17). In South Korea, the cyclic outbreaks occurring every four years might also be the reflection of population of raccoon dogs which are a major transmitter of rabies (18,19).…”