Detection of Mokola virus neutralising antibodies in Nigerian dogs

Five hundred healthy Nigerian dogs were randomly selected and bled for serological detection of antibodies to lyssa-viruses, including Mokola, Lagos bat and Duvenhage viruses. The canine sera were screened for virus neutralising antibodies by a modification of the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition technique. Three serum samples were seropositive to Mokola virus but all were negative to Lagos bat and Duvenhage viruses. The three seropositive Mokola samples were also negative for rabies virus neutralising antibodies. This finding may explain occasional rabies-like canine mortalities within one year of antirabies vaccination in Nigeria.