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Rabies in wildlife in Latvia
Sanita Vanaga1, Reina van der Heide, Rafaels Joffe
1Department of Virology, National Veterinary Laboratory, Latvia.
Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)
|September 27, 2003
Summary
Rabies remains a significant public health threat in the Baltic States, endemic in wildlife. Continued and intensified national rabies eradication programs, including fox oral vaccination, are crucial for control.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Public Health
- Wildlife Disease Ecology
Background:
- Lyssaviruses are frequently detected in Baltic State wildlife, posing a public health risk.
- A national rabies eradication program, including dog/cat vaccination and fox oral vaccination, has been implemented since 1970.
- Inconsistent funding delayed widespread fox oral vaccination until 2000.
Purpose of the Study:
- To molecularly characterize lyssaviruses prevalent in Latvian wildlife.
- To assess the effectiveness of ongoing rabies control measures.
- To confirm the endemic status of rabies in wildlife and its public health implications.
Main Methods:
- RT-PCR amplification of lyssavirus RNA from 25 rabies-positive wildlife samples (1999).
- Direct sequencing of nucleoprotein gene amplicons.
- Sequence analysis to determine viral homology and similarity to known rabies virus (RABV) genotypes.
Main Results:
- Rabies virus (RABV) was confirmed as endemic in Latvian wildlife, with 250-400 cases diagnosed annually.
- Molecular analysis revealed 99.3-100% homology among isolates and 99.0-100% similarity to a 1995 Estonian RABV genotype I isolate.
- Tetracycline marker in 53% of fox jaws indicated successful oral vaccination uptake.
Conclusions:
- Rabies virus (RABV) is endemic in Latvian wildlife, representing a serious public health threat.
- The national rabies eradication program requires continuation and potential intensification to eliminate wildlife reservoirs.
- Sustained efforts in wildlife vaccination and surveillance are essential for rabies control.