Of bats and livestock: The epidemiology of rabies in Trinidad, West Indies

Seetahal, Janine F.R.; Sánchez-Vázquez, Manuel J.; Vokaty, Alexandra; Carrington, Christine V. F.; Mahabir, Ron; Adesiyun, Abiodun A.; Rupprecht, Charles E.

doi:10.1016/j.vetmic.2018.11.020

Cited by 14 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…This study demonstrates variation in rabies seroprevalence by district in Trinidad, with St. George East and St. Patrick accounting for 85% of all RVNA positive samples, consistent with localisation of rabies livestock epizootics in these regions [27,28]. However, more structured sampling across the island, which would account for sample site variation, is necessary to confirm the observed pattern.…”

Section: Bat Population Densitysupporting

confidence: 62%

“…In 2012, the year in which 79% (26 of 33) of RVNA positive bat samples in our study were sampled (see Table S2), one vampire bat (n = 253) was confirmed to be rabies positive [46,47]. On the other hand, in 1974, although no bats were found to be rabid from the small number tested (n = 6), 12 bat-transmitted rabies cases were diagnosed in the livestock population clearly indicating virus was circulating in at least the vampire bat population [28]. Although not reported herein, 65 brain samples from bats specimens sampled during the period of this study were tested for RABV and other Lyssaviruses by real-time RT-PCR [48], however none were positive for RABV [49].…”

Section: Rabies Epizootic Situationmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Despite the bias towards healthy bats inherent to this type of sampling, it has been suggested that this low proportion is a consequence of virus only being periodically imported from the South American mainland (as bats fly from mainland to island) causing vampire bat epizootics with occasional viral spill-over to the livestock population [22]. Nonetheless, over the last 50 years, despite the apparent low levels of RABV circulation in the bat population, five significant epizootic events have occurred on the island [28].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Serological Prevalence of Rabies Virus-Neutralizing Antibodies in the Bat Population on the Caribbean Island of Trinidad

Seetahal

Greenberg

Satheshkumar

et al. 2020

Viruses

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Rabies virus (RABV) is the only lyssavirus known to be present within the Caribbean. The island of Trinidad, is richly diverse in chiropteran fauna and endemic for bat-transmitted rabies with low RABV isolation rates observed in this population. We aimed to determine the seroprevalence of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies (RVNA) in light of spatio-temporal and bat demographic factors to infer the extent of natural exposure to RABV in the Trinidadian bat population. RVNA titers were determined by the RABV micro-neutralization test on 383 bat samples representing 21 species, comprising 30.9% of local bat diversity, from 31 locations across the island over 5 years. RVNA was positively detected in 33 samples (8.6%) representing 6 bat species (mainly frugivorous) with titers ranging from 0.1 to 19 IU/mL (mean 1.66 IU/mL). The analyses based on a multivariable binomial generalised linear mixed-effects model showed that bat age and year of capture were significant predictors of seropositivity. Thus, juvenile bats were more likely to be seropositive when compared to adults (estimate 1.13; p = 0.04) which may suggest early exposure to the RABV with possible implications for viral amplification in this population. Temporal variation in rabies seropositivity, 2012–2014 versus 2015–2017 (estimate 1.07; p = 0.03) may have been related to the prevailing rabies epizootic situation. Regarding other factors investigated, RVNA was found in bats from both rural and non-rural areas, as well as in both hematophagous and non-hematophagous bat species. The most common seropositive species, Artibeus jamaicensis planirostris is ubiquitous throughout the island which may potentially facilitate human exposure. The findings of this study should be factored into public health assessments on the potential for rabies transmission by non-hematophagous bats in Trinidad.

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Section: Bat Population Densitysupporting

confidence: 62%

Section: Rabies Epizootic Situationmentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Serological Prevalence of Rabies Virus-Neutralizing Antibodies in the Bat Population on the Caribbean Island of Trinidad

Seetahal

Greenberg

Satheshkumar

et al. 2020

Viruses

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“…However, the number of rabid bat species is directly correlated to research effort [ 22 ], so it is anticipated that increased surveillance (and the use of modern laboratory techniques) will result in the identification of more rabid bat species. Since RABV isolations from Caribbean bats are rare, with recent detection rates <0.5% [ 39 , 40 , 76 ], passive surveillance with the testing of sick or dying bats for RABV and seroprevalence studies for both bat endemic and non-endemic locations would be preferable for initial studies in resource-limited settings. More expensive enhanced surveillance should then target bats species with higher dispersal abilities [ 59 , 77 ], those previously found to be rabies positive, and other species to which they have sympatric roosting relationships.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rabies in the Caribbean: A Situational Analysis and Historic Review

et al. 2018

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Rabies virus is the only Lyssavirus species found in the Americas. In discussions about rabies, Latin America and the Caribbean are often grouped together. Our study aimed to independently analyse the rabies situation in the Caribbean and examine changes in rabies spatiotemporal epidemiology. A questionnaire was administered to the 33 member countries and territories of the Caribbean Animal Health Network (CaribVET) to collect current data, which was collated with a literature review. Rabies was endemic in ten Caribbean localities, with the dog, mongoose, and vampire bat identified as enzootic reservoirs. The majority of animal cases occurred in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti, while human cases only consistently occurred in the latter two areas. Rabies vaccination was conducted for high-risk animal populations with variable coverage, and rabies diagnostic capacities varied widely throughout the region. Illegal importation and natural migration of animals may facilitate the introduction of rabies virus variants into virus-naïve areas. Passive surveillance, together with enhanced methods and serological screening techniques, can therefore be of value. The insularity of the Caribbean makes it ideal for conducting pilot studies on reservoir host population management. Best practice guidelines developed for these reservoir hosts can be individually modified to the epidemiological status and available resources within each locality.

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“…Major rabies outbreaks in livestock caused by haematophagous bats have been reported among others from Ecuador, Trinidad and Brazil; these outbreaks affected mainly cattle, with increasing trends over the last years, raising additional public health concerns also within the context of the One Health approach (Orlando et al, ; Rocha et al, ; Seetahal et al, ). Rabies viral lineages maintained by bats can be transmitted directly to humans, livestock, and dogs and cats.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased detection of rabies virus in bats in Ceará State (Northeast Brazil) after implementation of a passive surveillance programme

Duarte

Alencar

Cavalcante

et al. 2019

Zoonoses and Public Health

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The intensification of dog, cat and livestock vaccination campaigns significantly reduced rabies cases in humans and domestic animals in Ceará State, Brazil. However, sylvatic animals-bats (order Chiroptera), wild canids, raccoons and non-human primates-remain as reservoirs for the virus. Our hypothesis is that surveillance and monitoring of rabies virus in bats, especially passive surveillance, is of fundamental importance, besides the implementation of health education and strengthening of surveillance actions in humans exposed to aggressions. Thus, we assessed the occurrence of rabies virus in animals focusing on bats, before and after launching of the Sylvatic Rabies Surveillance Program in 2010. Surveillance data from the 184 municipalities of Ceará State were analysed, collected during the periods 2003-2010 (active surveillance) and 2011-2016 (passive surveillance), respectively. A total of 13,543 mammalian samples were received for rabies diagnosis from 2003 to 2016.Of these, 10,960 were from dogs or cats (80.9%), 1,180 from bats (8.7%), 806 from other sylvatic animals (foxes, marmosets, raccoons; 6.0%) and 597 from herbivores (cattle, goats, sheep, equines, pigs; 4.4%). A total of 588 (4.3%) samples were positive for rabies. About 8.4% (99/1,180) of the bat samples were infected with rabies virus, 92 (92.9%) of these were from non-haematophagous bat species and 7 (7.1%) from haematophagous species. The number of bat samples received and infection rates increased considerably, after a shift from active surveillance (9/355 [2.5%] samples positive), to passive surveillance (90/825 [10.9%] samples positive). Surveillance of rabies virus in bats is fundamental for human and domestic animal health in Ceará State. Bats have to be considered as targets in surveillance and control programmes. Virus lineages should be characterized to increase knowledge on transmission dynamics of sylvatic rabies virus to domestic animals and the human population, and to provide additional evidence for planning and implementation of improved control measures. K E Y W O R D S bats, Brazil, rabies, surveillance | 187 DUARTE ET Al.

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Of bats and livestock: The epidemiology of rabies in Trinidad, West Indies

Cited by 14 publications

References 19 publications

The Serological Prevalence of Rabies Virus-Neutralizing Antibodies in the Bat Population on the Caribbean Island of Trinidad

The Serological Prevalence of Rabies Virus-Neutralizing Antibodies in the Bat Population on the Caribbean Island of Trinidad

Rabies in the Caribbean: A Situational Analysis and Historic Review

Increased detection of rabies virus in bats in Ceará State (Northeast Brazil) after implementation of a passive surveillance programme

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