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A Trap-Vaccinate-Release Protocol for Immunization of Skunks and Additional Rabies Vectors Against Rabies
Published on: November 29, 2024
Bat rabies surveillance in the former Soviet Union
I V Kuzmin1, A D Botvinkin, E M Poleschuk
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. ikuzmin@cdc.gov
Developments in Biologicals
|August 2, 2006
Summary
Over 41 years, over 3,000 bats in the Former Soviet Union were studied for lyssaviruses. Five new lyssavirus genotypes, distinct from rabies virus, were identified, highlighting potential public health risks.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Zoonotic Disease Epidemiology
- Bat-borne Pathogen Surveillance
Background:
- Lyssaviruses pose a significant threat to animal and human health.
- Bat populations are known reservoirs for various lyssavirus types.
- Comprehensive surveillance in the Former Soviet Union (FSU) was needed to understand lyssavirus diversity.
Observation:
- Over 3,000 bats were examined across the FSU between 1964 and 2004.
- European Bat Lyssavirus type 1 (EBLV-1) was detected in Ukraine and European Russia.
- Four novel lyssavirus genotypes were proposed: Aravan (ARAV), Khujand (KHUV), Irkut (IRKV), and West Caucasian Bat virus (WCBV).
Findings:
- Multiple lyssaviruses, distinct from classical rabies virus (RABV), were identified in FSU bats.
- Reports of RABV isolation from bats in the FSU require further verification.
- Two human rabies cases of bat origin were documented, one confirmed as EBLV-1.
Implications:
- The discovery of novel lyssaviruses necessitates re-evaluation of diagnostic and control strategies.
- Understanding bat lyssavirus diversity is crucial for assessing zoonotic potential and public health risks.
- Continued surveillance and research are essential to mitigate the impact of bat-borne lyssaviruses in the region.
