Rabies in Western Canada 1978-1984

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Rabies poses a significant zoonotic threat, necessitating accurate diagnostic methods.
• Surveillance of rabies in wildlife is crucial for understanding transmission dynamics and preventing human exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present laboratory diagnostic results for rabies over a seven-year period in Western Canada.
• To identify the primary wildlife reservoirs of rabies in the studied regions.
• To assess the proportion of rabies cases involving human contact.

Main Methods:

• Laboratory examination of 22,503 biological specimens using standard fluorescent antibody (FA) and mouse inoculation tests.
• Geographical data collection from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon, and Northwest Territories.
• Analysis of positive rabies cases to determine animal reservoirs and human contact incidence.

Main Results:

• A total of 1,445 positive rabies cases were identified from 22,503 specimens.
• Skunks, bats, and foxes were identified as the main reservoirs of rabies.
• 10.50% of positive rabies cases involved direct or indirect human contact.
• The fluorescent antibody test demonstrated over 99% agreement with the mouse inoculation test, confirming its reliability.

Conclusions:

• The study reaffirms the efficacy of the fluorescent antibody test for rabies diagnosis.
• Wildlife, particularly skunks, bats, and foxes, are significant reservoirs for rabies in Western Canada.
• A notable percentage of rabies cases involved human contact, underscoring the importance of public health awareness and preventative measures.