Rabies in Zimbabwe: reservoir dogs and the implications for disease control

Abstract

Using detailed ¢eld study observations of the side-striped jackal (Canis adustus) and a simple stochastic model of the transmission dynamics of the virus and host demography, we discuss the epidemiology of rabies virus infection in the jackal population of Zimbabwe. Of the two jackal species in Zimbabwe, the other being the black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas), the bulk of noti¢ed rabies cases are in side-striped jackals. Speci¢cally, we show that the side-striped jackal population itself does not seem able to support rabies infection endemically, i.e. without frequent reintroduction from outside sources of infection. We argue that this is probably because the overall average jackal population density is too low to maintain the chain of infection. This study suggests that the disease is regularly introduced to jackals by rabid dogs from populations associated with human settlements. Given the rapidly rising dog population in Zimbabwe, estimates are derived of the future incidence of jackal rabies based on di¡erent dog-vaccination scenarios.

Urban domestic dog populations as a source of canine distemper virus for wild carnivores in the Coquimbo region of Chile

“…Similarly, the age-seroprevalence pattern 423 found in rural sites is similar to those found in the low-density populations near the 424 SNP where younger animals have no or low CDV seroprevalences, suggesting low 425 recent pathogen circulation (Cleaveland et al, 2000). In Tunisia by contrast, no 426 differences in CDV seroprevalence were detected between adults and juveniles in a 427 domestic dog population where CDV was thought to be circulating regularly 428 source of rabies in the side-striped jackals (Canis adustus) (Rhodes et al, 1998). 469 A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t M a n u s c r i p t M a n u s c r i p t A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t M a n u s c r i p t …”

Antibodies against rabies virus in dogs with and without history of vaccination in Santa Maria - RS - Brazil

“…In South America, the hematophagous bats Desmodus rotundus are the main reservoirs and sources of RABV for livestock (ARELLANO-SOTA, 1988). In rural/ wild regions, human infection is usually associated with bytes/aggressions by bats or, less frequently, by terrestrial mammals (RHODES et al, 1998).…”

“…In urban areas, RABV is maintained through cycles of transmission among dogs, and less frequently, cats (RHODES et al, 1998). RABV has been occasionally detected in non-hematophagous bats in some cities, yet their role in virus transmission is unclear (CABRAL et al, 2012).…”

“…The disease is caused by rabies virus (RABV), an enveloped, bullet-shaped and negative-sense RNA virus belonging to the genus Lyssavirus, family Rhabdoviridae (ICTV, 2014). Virtually, all warmblooded animals (mammals) are susceptible to A, 70,6% (310/440) RABV infection, whose ensuing disease is usually fatal (RHODES et al, 1998).…”

Bovine rabies in Turkey: patterns of infection and implications for costs and control

“…Table 6. Density (animals/km 2 ), rabies surveillance (number of animals submitted/100 000), and rabies incidence (cases/100 000 animals) of cattle, equids Similarities may exist with certain regions of Turkey and in Southern Africa, where dog-mediated rabies is also a major source of transmission to livestock [18,19]. However, there is almost no reliable data available on rabies incidence in cattle for many countries, especially in Africa and Asia.…”