Author: Tadeusz Frymus, 2024Intended Audience: 5th year students of the Faculty of Veterinary MedicineCopyright Notice: Document is protected under Polish copyright law and is for educational purposes only.
Page 2: Rabies in the World
Global Issue
Despite effective vaccines for over 100 years, rabies remains a worldwide problem.
Only a few isolated regions, primarily islands, are rabies-free.
Page 3: Rabies Statistics
Human Impact
Over 55,000 deaths annually due to rabies.
Economic burden estimated at $3 billion per year.
A child dies from rabies every 10 minutes.
Animal Reservoirs
In tropical regions, dogs are the primary reservoir.
Over 95% of human cases are linked to dog bites.
Prevention
Rabies is easily preventable in both animals and humans, with millions vaccinated yearly.
Control measures are inconsistent across different regions, leading to an increase in deaths.
Page 4: Etiology
Virus Characteristics
Family: Rhabdoviridae, Genus: Lyssavirus.
Sensitive to environmental conditions; inactivated quickly outside the host.
New strains can emerge from bats, which can transmit to carnivores.
Page 5: Lyssavirus Species
Key Species
RABV is the most significant worldwide, transmitted by carnivores and bats.
In Poland, RABV and EBL1 are present.
All species can induce rabies in mammals; vaccines primarily contain RABV.
Page 6: Epidemiology
Involved Orders
Bats (Chiroptera) and carnivores are the main carriers of rabies.
Page 7: Rabies in Dogs and Wildlife
Regional Variations
In tropical areas, dogs account for 75% of human rabies cases.
In temperate climates, wild animals like foxes and raccoons are significant reservoirs.
Bat rabies has been a concern in South America, Africa, and now in the USA and Europe.
Page 8: Rabies from Bats
Transmission Risks
Even suckling bats can be rabid.
Human infections often occur indoors and may not involve direct bites.
Page 10: Signs of Rabies in Bats
Behavioral Indicators
Atypical daytime activity, inability to fly, and oversensitivity to stimuli.
Physical signs include dirty mouths and inability to swallow.
Page 12: Rabies in Poland
Historical Context
Rabies has been present for ages; post-WWII saw thousands of cases, primarily in dogs.
Mandatory dog vaccination led to a decrease in dog cases but an increase in fox cases.
Page 13: Rabies Cases in Poland (1992-2019)
Trends
Significant decline in animal rabies cases following vaccination programs, particularly in foxes.
Page 14: Challenges in Eradication
Current Issues
Increased fox populations and rabid raccoon-dogs complicate eradication efforts.
Page 16: Animal Rabies in Europe (2022)
Statistics
Total reported cases: 739, with a significant percentage in domestic animals.
Page 17: Illegal Importation Risks
Threat to Rabies-Free Countries
Illegal importation of pets poses a constant threat, leading to local outbreaks.
Historical examples include Spain and France losing rabies-free status due to illegal imports.
Page 19: Transmission of Rabies
Infection Pathways
The virus is primarily excreted in saliva; biting is the main transmission route.
Page 20: Pathogenesis
Virus Behavior
No viremia; the virus travels through axons, leading to variable incubation periods.
Primarily replicates in neurons without causing cell lysis.
Page 22: Acquired Immunity
Vaccination Effects
Vaccination leads to long-lasting immunity; neutralizing antibodies prevent the virus from reaching the brain.
Page 24: Laboratory Diagnostics
Testing Methods
Diagnosis in living animals is not possible; brain antigen detection is the best method.
Page 26: Principles of Rabies Control
Control Measures
Government-led culling or isolation of rabid animals.
Oral vaccination programs for wildlife and vaccination of domestic pets.
Page 28: Role of Veterinarians
Public Health Protection
Vets play a crucial role in rabies prevention through education and vaccination.
Page 29: Vaccination of Domestic Animals
Regulations in Poland
Mandatory annual vaccination for dogs; voluntary for other species.
Inactivated virus vaccines are safe and effective.
Page 31: Special Vaccine for Cats
Innovative Solutions
PUREVAX R is a non-adjuvanted vaccine designed to reduce the risk of post-injection sarcomas.
Page 32: Vaccination of Foxes
Oral Vaccination
Millions of doses of live, attenuated RABV have been used, leading to significant declines in terrestrial rabies in
Author: Tadeusz Frymus, 2024Intended Audience: 5th year students of the Faculty of Veterinary MedicineCopyright Notice: Document is protected under Polish copyright law and is for educational purposes only.
Page 2: Rabies in the World
Global Issue
Despite effective vaccines for over 100 years, rabies remains a worldwide problem.
Only a few isolated regions, primarily islands, are rabies-free.
Page 3: Rabies Statistics
Human Impact
Over 55,000 deaths annually due to rabies.
Economic burden estimated at $3 billion per year.
A child dies from rabies every 10 minutes.
Animal Reservoirs
In tropical regions, dogs are the primary reservoir.
Over 95% of human cases are linked to dog bites.
Prevention
Rabies is easily preventable in both animals and humans, with millions vaccinated yearly.
Control measures are inconsistent across different regions, leading to an increase in deaths.
Page 4: Etiology
Virus Characteristics
Family: Rhabdoviridae, Genus: Lyssavirus.
Sensitive to environmental conditions; inactivated quickly outside the host.
New strains can emerge from bats, which can transmit to carnivores.
Page 5: Lyssavirus Species
Key Species
RABV is the most significant worldwide, transmitted by carnivores and bats.
In Poland, RABV and EBL1 are present.
All species can induce rabies in mammals; vaccines primarily contain RABV.
Page 6: Epidemiology
Involved Orders
Bats (Chiroptera) and carnivores are the main carriers of rabies.
Page 7: Rabies in Dogs and Wildlife
Regional Variations
In tropical areas, dogs account for 75% of human rabies cases.
In temperate climates, wild animals like foxes and raccoons are significant reservoirs.
Bat rabies has been a concern in South America, Africa, and now in the USA and Europe.
Page 8: Rabies from Bats
Transmission Risks
Even suckling bats can be rabid.
Human infections often occur indoors and may not involve direct bites.
Page 10: Signs of Rabies in Bats
Behavioral Indicators
Atypical daytime activity, inability to fly, and oversensitivity to stimuli.
Physical signs include dirty mouths and inability to swallow.
Page 12: Rabies in Poland
Historical Context
Rabies has been present for ages; post-WWII saw thousands of cases, primarily in dogs.
Mandatory dog vaccination led to a decrease in dog cases but an increase in fox cases.
Page 13: Rabies Cases in Poland (1992-2019)
Trends
Significant decline in animal rabies cases following vaccination programs, particularly in foxes.
Page 14: Challenges in Eradication
Current Issues
Increased fox populations and rabid raccoon-dogs complicate eradication efforts.
Page 16: Animal Rabies in Europe (2022)
Statistics
Total reported cases: 739, with a significant percentage in domestic animals.
Page 17: Illegal Importation Risks
Threat to Rabies-Free Countries
Illegal importation of pets poses a constant threat, leading to local outbreaks.
Historical examples include Spain and France losing rabies-free status due to illegal imports.
Page 19: Transmission of Rabies
Infection Pathways
The virus is primarily excreted in saliva; biting is the main transmission route.
Page 20: Pathogenesis
Virus Behavior
No viremia; the virus travels through axons, leading to variable incubation periods.
Primarily replicates in neurons without causing cell lysis.
Page 22: Acquired Immunity
Vaccination Effects
Vaccination leads to long-lasting immunity; neutralizing antibodies prevent the virus from reaching the brain.
Page 24: Laboratory Diagnostics
Testing Methods
Diagnosis in living animals is not possible; brain antigen detection is the best method.
Page 26: Principles of Rabies Control
Control Measures
Government-led culling or isolation of rabid animals.
Oral vaccination programs for wildlife and vaccination of domestic pets.
Page 28: Role of Veterinarians
Public Health Protection
Vets play a crucial role in rabies prevention through education and vaccination.
Page 29: Vaccination of Domestic Animals
Regulations in Poland
Mandatory annual vaccination for dogs; voluntary for other species.
Inactivated virus vaccines are safe and effective.
Page 31: Special Vaccine for Cats
Innovative Solutions
PUREVAX R is a non-adjuvanted vaccine designed to reduce the risk of post-injection sarcomas.
Page 32: Vaccination of Foxes
Oral Vaccination
Millions of doses of live, attenuated RABV have been used, leading to significant declines in terrestrial rabies in
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