Surveillance and Analysis of Animal Rabies - China, 2004-2024

Area of Science:

• Veterinary epidemiology
• Zoonotic disease surveillance
• Public health

Background:

• Rabies is a fatal zoonotic viral disease caused by rabies viruses (RABV).
• China faces a high risk of rabies, necessitating robust surveillance.
• The National Animal Disease Surveillance and Epidemiological Investigation Plan guides control efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically analyze two decades of animal rabies surveillance data in China.
• To understand current rabies transmission patterns and identify high-risk areas.
• To inform targeted control strategies for rabies in China.

Main Methods:

• Confirmatory diagnosis of suspected rabies cases using direct fluorescent antibody testing (FAT) and real-time RT-PCR.
• Analysis of epidemiological data from confirmed cases (2004-2024).
• Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and statistical evaluation of transmission patterns.

Main Results:

• 331 of 433 suspected cases (76.44%) were confirmed positive for rabies.
• Dog-mediated rabies (47.13%) is prevalent in southern regions, posing human risks.
• Wildlife-mediated rabies (52.87%), primarily by foxes, affects livestock in northern regions, notably Inner Mongolia.

Conclusions:

• Rabies surveillance in China reveals distinct dog-mediated and wildlife-mediated transmission patterns.
• Southern China faces ongoing dog rabies threats, while northern regions confront emerging wildlife rabies risks.
• Enhanced surveillance and targeted vaccination for domestic and wildlife reservoirs are crucial for rabies control.