New rabies virus variant in Mexican immigrant
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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Whole Genome Sequencing for Rapid Characterization of Rabies Virus Using Nanopore Technology
Published on: August 18, 2023
Andres Velasco-Villa1, Sharon L Messenger, Lillian A Orciari
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. dly3@cdc.gov
Abstract:
A novel rabies virus was identified after death in a man who had immigrated from Oaxaca, Mexico, to California, USA. Despite the patient's history of exposure to domestic and wild carnivores, molecular and phylogenetic characterizations suggested that the virus originated from insectivorous bats. Enhanced surveillance is needed to elucidate likely reservoirs.
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