A probable outbreak of rabies in a group of camels in Niger

Seven camels in a herd of approximately 40 camels belonging to nomadic people in Niger died over a short period. No diagnostic samples were obtained. Brain was obtained from the eighth camel in the group, which died after a clinical illness manifested by unusual behaviour, aggression, pica, ptyalism and terminal paralysis. Rabies virus was demonstrated in the brain of this camel by immunofluorescent staining. Before the deaths of the camels a feral dog had joined the nomadic encampment and died there, and a domestic dog belonging to the group had then died after displaying aggressive behaviour. It is postulated that canine rabies had been transmitted to the camels in the herd.