Rabies in Europe: what are the risks?

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Epidemiology
• Wildlife Health

Background:

• Rabies is an endemic zoonotic disease in European animal populations, posing a continuous threat.
• Oral vaccination baits have been effective in controlling terrestrial rabies but require ongoing surveillance.
• Recurrent rabies cases highlight the vulnerability of rabies-free status and the need for sustained control efforts.

Discussion:

• Fox rabies control programs in Eastern and Southern Europe necessitate integrated stray dog management due to high stray populations.
• Imported pets from enzootic regions pose a risk to Europe's rabies-free status for terrestrial animals.
• Newly identified bat rabies virus variants require assessment of current vaccine efficacy and potential for interspecies transmission.

Key Insights:

• Oral rabies vaccination is a key tool but not a complete solution; vigilance is essential.
• Managing stray dog populations is critical in specific regions to complement fox vaccination efforts.
• Emerging bat rabies strains present new challenges for existing control strategies and vaccine effectiveness.

Outlook:

• Continued research into novel rabies virus variants and vaccine efficacy is paramount.
• Strengthening public awareness, especially for travelers, regarding rabies risks and pet import regulations is vital.
• Sustainable vaccination programs and enhanced surveillance are necessary for the ultimate goal of rabies elimination in Europe.