The Landscape and Demographic Features Associated with Ferret Badger Rabies in Taiwan East Area

Abstract

This study evaluated landscape characteristics associated with the incidence of ferret badger (Melogale moschata) rabies in the East Epidemic Area, Taiwan, where the disease has been endemic from 2013 till date. This study included 268 cases of ferret badger rabies reported from 59 townships during 2013-2016. A multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that for townships with elevation between 0 and 200 m, or between 201 and 600 m, the estimated probability of the incidence of ferret badger rabies for each township increases with the rise of forest area. For townships with elevation higher than 600 m, the association is negative, a fact reflected by the interaction effect between variables of forest and elevation fitted in the model. This model provided by the combination of different land use types, human population density and elevation measures of townships, may be used in estimating the incidence probability of prioritizing areas for ferret badger rabies control on oral vaccination.

Human Exposure to Ferret Badger Rabies in Taiwan

“…Shih et al [ 7 ] pointed out that the size of forests was extremely associated with the incidence of ferret badger rabies ( p < 0.001). Shih et al [ 8 ] further pointed out that “Controlling for the altitude, higher positive ferret badger rabies cases were found associated with larger forest areas. On the other hand, when the forest area was controlled, higher positive ferret badger rabies cases were associated with lower altitude”.…”

“…On the other hand, when the forest area was controlled, higher positive ferret badger rabies cases were associated with lower altitude”. Ethologically, mustelids, despite their flexible food habits and social organization, are considered susceptible to urban development [ 10 , 11 ] due to their vulnerability to disturbance and the specific habitat requirements of setts, which accounts for the fact that the Taiwan Ferret badger, a member of Mustelidae, is not synanthropic and few rabid cases of them were found in urban areas [ 7 , 8 , 12 ]. Those facts also point out that a forest is a terrain prone to rabid TFBs.…”

“…[ 4 , 5 ]. A Chi-square test as well as a multivariable logistic regression analysis of 59 townships in the East endemic area of Taiwan revealed that townships elevated between 201 and 600 m and with large scale of forest, have a high probability for the incidence of TFB rabies [ 7 , 8 ]. Townships, being the smallest administrative units in Taiwan, which coincide with the boundaries of villages, cities, towns, or even districts, provide territorial and geographic information in Taiwan.…”

“…Among the 217 townships, 81 had positive TFB rabies cases, 133 had no cases, and 3 offshore island townships had no cases and were not included in this study. Current epidemiological data indicates that the temporal dynamics of TFB rabies is still sequestered to the above-mentioned enzootic area [ 5 , 7 , 8 ]. Humans are at risk mainly via exposure to the virus from dogs and cats that have been infected by rabid ferret-badgers.…”