Rabies, Antelope - Namibia : Request for Information

RABIES, ANTELOPE - NAMIBIA: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
***************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Fri 19 Jun 2009
From: Herbert Schneider

Rabies in Namibia
-----------------
A massive outbreak of rabies, affecting kudu antelopes, started early
last year [2008] in Namibia. During a helicopter count in the Khomas
highlands during the winter months of 2008 some 500 dead kudu bulls
were counted. Similar outbreaks were observed in the past, with the
largest one during the years 1977-1985 , when an estimated loss of
30-50 000 antelope (20 per cent of the population) was reported,
apparently involving oral spread of rabies infection between
individuals.

It is estimated that over 20 000 antelopes have died during the
current epizootic.

Dr Herbert P Schneider
Namibia


[Dr Schneider's authoritative clinical/epidemiological observation is
gratefully acknowledged. Laboratory confirmation and information on
possible control measures will be anticipated with interest. A
picture of a kudu is available at
.

The major, unique epizootic of 1977-1985, which decimated about 20
percent of the kudu antelope (_Tragelaphus strepsiceros_) population
of Namibia, as well as the later, smaller outbreaks of 2002 and 2006,
provided an example of horizontal spread between individuals by means
of non-bite transmission. The social behavior of kudu was believed to
be the contributing factor, through the exposure of mouth lesions
from the browsing of thorn bushes to the infected saliva.

References
----------
1. Schneider HP: Rabies in South Western Africa/Namibia. In Rabies in
the Tropics. Edited by: Kuwert, Merieux, Koprowski, Bogel. Berlin:
Springer; 1985:520-535.
2. Swanepoel R, Barnard BJH, Meredith CD, Bishop GC, Bruckner GK,
Foggin CM, Hubschle OJB: Rabies in southern Africa. Onderstepoort J
Vet Res 1993, 60: 325-346. Abstract available at
.
3. Mansfield K, McElhinney L, Huebschle O, Mettler F, Sabeta C, Nel
LH, Fooks AR: A molecular epidemiological study of rabies epizootics
in kudu (_Tragelaphus strepsiceros_) in Namibia. BMC Vet Res 2006,
Jan 13; 2:2. Available at
. - Mod.AS]

[The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Namibia can be accessed at
. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

Rabies - China (02) : (Shaanxi) - human deaths reported

RABIES - CHINA (02): (SHAANXI)
******************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Mon 1 Jun 2009
Source: China View [edited]


Rabies has killed 8 people and left 2 people suspected of being
infected in hospital in Shaanxi Province since March 2009, the local
government said Monday [1 Jun 2009]. The outbreak of rabies has
spread to 11 counties in Hanzhong City since March, where 5523 people
were injured by dogs, said Qin Mingxian, director with the city's
agricultural bureau. The 1st death occurred on 21 Mar [2009], and the
2 people suspected of being infected were being treated in a
county-level hospital, he said at a press conference.

The city, with more than 370 000 registered dogs, reported 35
[human?] deaths of the disease from 1985 to 1992. The outbreak was
spreading at unprecedented speed, said Qin.

The city carried out a rabies prevention campaign from 23 May - 1 Jun
[2009], implementing door-to-door compulsory vaccinations of dogs and
urging dog owners to put their pets on a leash or keep them off the
streets. So far, more than 240 000 pet dogs had been vaccinated.

Human deaths indicated the rabies virus was very active, posing a
great public health threat, said Shi Ruihua, chief of the bureau's
stock breeding department. The city authorities would work out
measures to improve administration of pet dogs, he said.

[Byline: Deng Shasha, editor]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Dan Silver

[Rabies continues to pop up sporadically in various parts of eastern
China. This is the latest outbreak, and illustrates the need to
maintain the canine population immune through consistent vaccination
programs. One hopes that the aggressive dog vaccination effort
carried out over the past 2 weeks is successful in eliminating the
rabies risk in the city, and is extended to rural areas as well.

Hanzhong is located in the southwest of Shaanxi Province. An
interactive map showing the location of Shaanxi province in
east-central China can be accessed at

- Mod.TY]

RABIES - RUSSIA: (SARATOV, NISHEGORDSKY, UDMURTIA)

RABIES - RUSSIA: (SARATOV, NISHEGORDSKY, UDMURTIA)
*************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


******
[1]
Date: 10 Apr 2009
Source: news.sarbc.ru [translated and abbreviated by Mod.NP, edited]


Rabies, animals - Russia (Samara region)
----------------------------------------
In 2008, 305 cases of animal rabies were reported. In addition there
was 1 human case reported in Balashov, and in 2 further human cases
the people were severely attacked by rabid animals -- a girl in
Vyazovka and a guard in the Volsky districts.

On April 9 [presumably in 2009 - Mod.MHJ] the expert council of the
regional government reviewed 2 laws on keeping domestic dogs and cats
and about administrative responsibility for its contravention.

Communicated by:
ProMED-RUS

******
(2)
Date: 10 Apr 2009
Source: IA: "AIF-nn.ru", 2009 [translated and abbreviated by Mod.NP, edited]


Rabies, animals - Russia (Nizhegorodskiy region)
-------------------------------------------------
During the 1st 3 months of this year, 2009, 28 cases of rabies
[presumably animal rabies - Mod.MHJ] have been reported but for the
whole of 2008 there were only 27 animal rabies cases.

Dmitriy Nikulin, Deputy head of bureau of State Veterinary
Supervision, said that the increased incidence is connected with a
rise in the number the carrier infections. For example, the fox
population has grown from 5000 to 8000 animals. In relation to
climatic and ecological factors the most unfavorable areas for rabies
are in the central and southern districts.

During 2001-2009 years rabies has been reported in 338 animals: 227
foxes; 51 dogs; 34 cats; 3 horses; and 3 goats. Because of the
worsening situation funding for rabies vaccinations has been
increased.

[Byline: Olga Petrova]

Communicated by:
ProMED-RUS

******
(3)
Date: 10 Apr 2009
Source: IA: "Media-centre Alfa-PR" [translated and abbreviated by
Mod.NP, edited]


Rabies, animals - Russia (Udmurtia)
-----------------------------------
Acccording to Rospotrebnadzor data as of 9 Apr 2009, 13 cases of
rabies have been recorded this year in Udmurtia, which is more than
for all of last year. About 77 percent of all these cases have been
in foxes. The affected districts are Alnashsky, Uvinsky, Grakhovsky,
Mozhginsky, Vavozhsky, Balezinsky and Karakulinsky.

Communicated by:
Natalia Pshenichnaya, ProMED Russian Moderator

[According to OIE WAHID in 2007 Russia reported 8 human rabies cases;
there were no reports submitted for 2005, 2006 or 2008, which is not
to say that rabies cases did not occur. The disease is widespread in
Russian domestic animals and wildlife with 3679 recorded cases in
2005; 876 in the 1st half of 2006 -- no reports for the latter half;
44572 (2007); 2989 (2008).
- Mod.MHJ]

Rabies, Canine, Human - (07) : comment on vaccination

RABIES, CANINE, HUMAN - INDONESIA (07): COMMENT ON VACCINATION
********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Sat 4 Apr 2009
From: Stephen Toovey

A comment on rabies vaccination
-------------------------------
With regard to the ProMED-mal post: "Rabies, canine, human -
Indonesia (06): (BA) 20090331.1247, I feel it would be worthwhile
clarifying to subscribers that 3 time separated injected doses of
rabies vaccine post-exposure (as discussed in the cases from Bali) is
the regimen only for individuals who have undergone pre-exposure vaccination.

The regimen otherwise, for previously unimmunised individuals, is 5
time separated injected doses, with rabies immunoglobulin along with
the 1st dose of rabies vaccine.

Dr Stephen Toovey MBBCh PhD FFTM RCPS(Glasg)
Burggartenstrasse 32
CH-4103 Bottmingen
Switzerland


[ProMED-mail thanks Dr Stephen Toovey for this important
clarification. Travellers to Bali should take note. - Mod.CP]

Rabies, Wildlife - USA (02) : Arizona

RABIES, WILDLIFE - USA (02): (ARIZONA)
*************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Disease


Date: 27 Mar 2009
Source: Fox News [edited]


3 Exposed to Rabies After Wild Bobcat Terrorizes Town
-----------------------------------------------------
A total of 3 people in the central Arizona community of Cottonwood
were exposed to rabies after being attacked by a wild bobcat. It all
began when the animal attacked and scratched a woman who had gotten
out of her car after thinking she had hit it.

A short time later, Cottonwood police got a report of a bobcat acting
aggressively toward a woman outside a Pizza Hut. Then, about an hour
later, the bobcat wandered into the Chapparal Bar on Main Street
forcing patrons up on their barstools; 2 men were bitten before
police shot and killed the animal in the parking lot. Tests later
confirmed it was rabid.

Communicated by:
Claude R. Ceccon


[Most of the other rabies exposures in Arizona have been from skunks
and foxes, according to Arizona Department of Health,

which has only confirmed 35 cases, versus the 62 reported earlier.
ProMED-mail appreciates Mr. Ceccon forwarding the information. - Mod.TG]

Rabies, Wildlife - USA : (Arizona) Increased Risk

RABIES, WILDLIFE - USA: (ARIZONA) INCREASED RISK
************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Tue 24 Mar 2009
Source: KTAR [edited]


Arizona sees surge in rabies outbreak
-------------------------------------
The state of Arizona is being hit with the biggest outbreak of rabies
that it has seen in a while, according to state veterinarian Elisabeth
Lawaczeck. So far this year [2009] there have been 62 animals
confirmed with rabies, according to Lawaczeck.


[A 21-year-old] Phoenix resident learned this the hard way when she
was bitten by a rabid bat at a family get-together in Northern Arizona
[last year? -- see below. - Mod.JW]."Something flew at me, I didn't
know what it was," [she] told KTAR. "I remember fumbling with it a
lot. It was really fury. It bit me and it flew away."

[The woman] was taken to the emergency room where she was treated for
rabies. She had to undergo a series of painful shots that lasted 6
months. "The needle was really long and it was really thick. I
remember the substance that they used was pink, and that was probably
the most painful thing that I've ever had to endure," she said. [But
see comment at end. - Mod.JW]

With the current outbreak of rabies, Lawaczeck says people should take
precautions when they go hiking or camping. "When you're camping you
want to make sure you are sleeping inside a tent and not just on the
ground or on a tarp. When you're hiking on the trails you should take
a hiking stick if you are in an area where there is reported rabies in
the past," Lawaczeck told KTAR [presumably for warding off attacking
animals. - Mod.JW].

Lawaczeck also said most rabies cases occur in skunks and foxes in
Southern Arizona but there have been recent outbreaks in the Flagstaff
area as well.

[Byline: Colton Shone]

Communicated by:
Healthmaps.org

[It would have been nice if the species of the 62 animals had been
listed; were they all skunks and foxes?

This is also a perfect time for the state veterinarian to pitch having
pets, including horses, vaccinated against the disease. Whether you
take your pet camping, or a rabid animal gets into your yard, you
should have your pet current on vaccines. If you don't know, or have
doubts, if your pet is protected, please see your veterinarian.

Rabies is usually a fatal disease. Unless your animal is vaccinated it
has no chance of living, because the authorities will eventually
euthanize the animal.

Arizona needs to update their rabies vaccine. The current CDC
recommendation for both HDCV and PCECV rabies vaccines is 1.0 mL intra
muscularly in the deltoid area, one each on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28
only, not 6 months -- see:

- Mod.TG/JW]

[The southwestern state of Arizona can be located on the
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the USA at
. - CopyEd.MJ]

Rabes, Canine, Human - Indonesia (05) : (Bali)

RABIES, CANINE, HUMAN - INDONESIA (05): (BALI)
**********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Wed 25 Mar 20009
Source: The Jakarta Post [edited]


The 8th victim of rabies, a 46-year-old man, died on Monday [23 Mar
2009] afternoon after being treated at the Sanglah General Hospital
in Denpasar since Sunday morning, a hospital official said Tuesday
[24 Mar 2009].

The victim was bitten in November [2008] and was a resident of
Pecatu, South Kuta district in Badung district, which had been
declared a rabies-infected area by the Bali provincial administration
late last year [2008]. "The suspect had shown acute clinical symptoms
and could not be saved," IGB Ken Wirasandhi, the secretary of the
hospital's rabies handling team, said. "We cannot confirm that [he]
positively died of rabies because the results of his blood tests are
not in yet."

The previous 7 suspected victims died after being bitten by rabid
dogs. The 1st victim was a 4-year-old child who died on 17 Sep 2008
[but see ProMED archive 20090106.0050 for a Jakarta Post article
giving his date of death as 30 Dec 2008, 6 months after being bitten.
- Mod.JW]. Other victims were [2 adults aged 32, an adult aged 45,
and 2 children aged 3 and another aged 5]. [So far, only the
45-year-old and one of the 32-year-old patients] have been confirmed
through blood tests to have suffered from rabies.

On Monday [23 Mar 2009], Ken said the 46-year-old patient showed
indications of the clinical symptoms of rabies like the past
suspected victims. "One thing is certain, the victim's diagnosis was
encephalitis," he said. The man's family has refused to divulge any
information. Head of the isolation ward, Ni Made Ratni, said Monday
that the man's wife had been hysterical since her husband was
declared a rabies suspect. "She kept on crying hysterically while her
husband was being treated," she said.

Badung Health Agency head AA Gede Agung Mayun confirmed the victim
suffered from the clinical symptoms of rabies. Ironically, the
46-year-old man had received 2 anti-rabies vaccinations (VARs) after
being bitten by a rabid dog. The 1st shot was given on 27 Nov 2008.
"Unfortunately, he did not continue with the 3rd and 4th vaccinations
after he felt much better," Mayun said. "A complete 4-shot
anti-rabies vaccination is mandatory, especially if a victim is
bitten on the arm or above." Mayun said the case was very surprising
because biting cases in South Kuta were actually decreasing, but he
did not give exact figures. Health authorities have yet to identify
which dog [bit] the deceased.

There have been proposals expressed, during various discussions on how
to handle rabies in Bali, that dog owners should be punished if their
dogs bite people. The aim is to involve the public in preventing the
spread of rabies. The health agency also said that only one of the
3-year-old children of the previous victims had shown rabies' unique
clinical symptoms, such as hydrophobia and hyper-salivation.

Meanwhile, the Badung Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Maritime Agency
is finding it difficult to administer the booster vaccinations for
dogs, scheduled for April 2009.

[Byline: Luh De Suriyani]

Communicated by:
a correspondent who wishes to remain anonymous

[Little precise information has been reported in recent weeks
concerning the course of the outbreak of canine rabies and consequent
human fatalities in the Indonesian island of Bali. Particular
concerns have been expressed regarding the undeclared number of human
cases, the extent of the dog vaccination program and the availability
of vaccine and immunoglobulin for post-exposure treatment.

The above Jakarta Post report highlights the seriousness of the
current situation, with the declaration of 2 confirmed fatal cases of
human rabies and another 6 suspected fatal cases. Furthermore, the
program for control of canine rabies by vaccination seems to have
stalled. Intending visitors to the island of Bali should take note.

The location of the island of Bali can be found using the
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Indonesia at:
.
A map of the island of Bali showing Denpasar region can be accessed at:
.
- Mod.CP]

Rabbies, via dog/cat butchering - Viet Nam : Probable

RABIES, VIA DOG/CAT BUTCHERING - VIET NAM: PROBABLE
***************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


[1]
Date: Tue 17 Mar 2009
Source: inthenews.co.uk [edited]


Eating dog or cat linked to rabies
----------------------------------
A new study has detailed how 2 people in Asia contracted rabies after
eating dog or cat meat.

A report published in the journal PLoS Medicine [see part (2) below]
describes how the 2 patients in Hanoi, Viet Nam, died from
laboratory-confirmed rabies. Health experts claim their symptoms
developed after butchering, preparing, and consuming either a dog or a cat.

The researchers were unable to test the butchered animals for rabies,
so could not be entirely certain the animals were the source of the rabies.

However, they caution that butchering of unvaccinated dogs and cats
in rabies-endemic countries should be considered a risk factor for
rabies transmission.

Communicated by:
ProMED-mail


******
[2]
Date: Wed 18 Mar 2009
From: Heiman Wertheim

Rabies infections highlight dangers of processing dog meat
----------------------------------------------------------
Eating dog meat is common in many Asian countries, but research
conducted as part of the South East Asia Infectious Diseases Clinical
Research Network has discovered a potentially lethal risk associated
with preparing dog meat: rabies. In research published today [18 Mar
2009] in the open access journal PLoS Medicine, Dr Heiman Wertheim
and colleagues from the National Institute of Infectious and Tropical
Diseases and the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology in
Hanoi, Viet Nam, report on 2 patients admitted to hospital showing
signs of rabies infection. Neither patient was thought to have been
bitten by a rabid animal in the preceding months.

Rabies is a very serious -- and in nearly all cases fatal -- disease.
It is estimated to kill more than 30 000 people each year in Asia,
and the number of cases in China and Viet Nam is increasing. Symptoms
include agitation, severe spasms, fever, fear of water and inability
to drink liquids, and eventually death. Humans are usually infected
after being bitten by an infected animal such as a dog or bat.

When the researchers investigated whether the patients had come into
contact with infected animals in the preceding months, they found
that both had been involved in preparing and eating animals that may
have been infected. In the 1st patient's case, he had prepared and
eaten a dog that had been killed in a road traffic accident; rabid
dogs were known to inhabit the neighbourhood. The 2nd patient had
butchered and eaten a cat that had been sick for a number of days.

In both cases seen by Dr Wertheim and colleagues, it is thought that
infection occurred during the slaughtering, and not by eating the
meat, as the meal was shared by others who did not become infected.
In Asia, it is believed that eating dog meat enhances health and
longevity. It is eaten throughout the year in the 2nd half of the
lunar month, particularly in the winter months, when it is believed
to increase body heat.

In Viet Nam, dogs with rabies have been detected in dog
slaughterhouses and workers at dog slaughterhouses are vaccinated
against rabies as part of the national programme for rabies control
and prevention. However, the private slaughter of dogs is relatively
common in the country.

"We need to alert both the general public and clinicians about the
risks around butchering and handling meat," says Dr Wertheim. "People
should not handle animals that may be infected with rabies. Rabies
can be prevented with a vaccine and people exposed to rabies can be
helped with post-exposure prophylaxis, but this needs to be
administered as quickly as possible following the exposure. Once a
person shows symptoms, the disease is almost invariably fatal.

"Vietnamese doctors already consider dog slaughtering a risk factor
for rabies transmission, but it is important that other health care
workers and policy makers, both inside and outside Vie Nam, are aware
of this risk factor."

The South East Asia Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Network is
funded by the Wellcome Trust and the National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health USA.

References
----------
1. Wertheim, H et al: Furious Rabies after an Atypical Exposure. PLoS
Medicine. 17 March 2009 [available at
].
2. The South East Asia Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Network
[SEAICRN; ] is a multinational
clinical research network that strives to advance the scientific
knowledge and clinical management of infectious disease through
integrated, collaborative clinical research in Indonesia, Thailand
and Viet Nam. The principal sources of funding for the Network are
the US National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases, USA and the Wellcome Trust, UK.
3. The Wellcome Trust [] is the largest
charity in the UK. It funds innovative biomedical research, in the UK
and internationally, spending over GBP 600 million [approx. USD 840
million] each year to support the brightest scientists with the best
ideas. The Wellcome Trust supports public debate about biomedical
research and its impact on health and wellbeing.

Heiman Wertheim

Rabies, Canine, Human - Angola (06) : (LUANDA)

RABIES, CANINE, HUMAN - ANGOLA (06): (LUANDA)
*********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Fri 13 Mar 2009
From: Ellicott McConnell


A comment
---------
I don't know whether or not it is of importance in the recent
outbreak in Angola, but in many parts of the developing world there
are a number of often bizarre "remedies" for rabies. It is my
understanding that only about half of rabid dogs shed the virus from
the salivary glands. Thus, half the time the remedies "work," not a
bad average for home remedies, so their use persists. Unfortunately,
by the time the failures get to valid medical assistance, it's too late!

Ellicott McConnell, Ph.D.

Rabies, Canine, Human - Indonesia (03) : Bali, Request for information

RABIES, CANINE, HUMAN - INDONESIA (03): BALI, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Mon 9 Mar 2009
From: Henry Wilde

My personal information from Bali and local press reports indicate
that the rabies outbreak, which started last year [2008] in
previously rabies-free Bali is not being handled as recommended by
the World Health Organization (WHO), using general vaccination of all
dogs (at least 70 percent) on the island.

Bali is still not instituting a dog rabies vaccination program and
only does "ring-vaccination" around identified cases. There have been
several human deaths. Tourists must be aware that any dog or cat or
monkey bite in Bali is a potential rabies exposure and that it needs
to be treated under WHO post exposure guidelines.

Long stay tourists or expats in Bali with rural and extensive street
exposure should consider pre-exposure rabies vaccination. I am also
not sure whether human or WHO standard equine rabies immunoglobulins
are readily available in Bali. This would be an other indication for
pre-exposure vaccination of long-term visitors. It seems now that due
to the long delay by local authorities to act appropriately, this may
be a repeat situation as happened in Flores and later Ambon, Indonesia.

Henry Wilde, MD, FACP
Professor of Medicine
Division of Research Affairs
Faculty of Medicine
Chulalongkorn University
Rama IV Road,
Bangkok,
Thailand 10330

[Little precise information has been reported in recent weeks
concerning the course of the outbreak of canine rabies, and
consequent human fatalities, in the Indonesian island of Bali. In
particular, there is concern about the extent of the dog vaccination
program and the availability of vaccine and immunoglobulin for
post-exposure treatment of humans unlucky enough to be attacked by a
rabid animal. Professor Wilde's call for disclosure of information is
timely and endorsed by ProMED-mail.

The location of the island of Bali can be found using the
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Indonesia at:
. - Mod.CP]

Rabies, Bovine, Foxes - Belarus: (Grodno)

RABIES, BOVINE, FOXES - BELARUS: (GRODNO)
*****************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Sun 1 Mar 2009
Source: Information Agency "Belorusskiy Portal" [Trans. by Corr.BA, edited]


Unprecedented rabies outbreak in animals in Grodno region
---------------------------------------------------------
A total of 7 laboratory confirmed cases of rabies in wild animals
have been reported in the Zelvenskiy district. A dairy farm has been
placed in quarantine due to the detection of a calf with rabies.

Zelvenskiy, Volkovysskiy and Svislochskiy dictricts are the most
seriously affected territories in the Grodno region. 159 cases of
rabies have been reported in Grodno region during the entire year in
2008, compared to 74 cases during the 2 months January-February 2009.
Foxes are the main reservoir of rabies in this region. Their
population has grown recently.

Communicated by:
ProMED-mail


[A 3-year rabies control program, including oral vaccination of
wildlife, was implemented in Belarus in 2001. This was followed by a
subsequent reduction of rabies cases in animals, as recorded in 2004.
It would be helpful to note whether the oral vaccination was
continued in following years; if not, the observed deterioration of
the rabies situation should not surprise. - Mod.AS]

[A map showing the location of Belarus is available at:
- CopyEd.EJP]

Rabies, Feline - USA (New Mexico)

RABIES, FELINE - USA (NEW MEXICO)
*********************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: 20 Feb 2009
Source: Silver City Sun News [edited]


A 2nd bobcat in the region has tested positive for rabies, the New Mexico
Department of Health reported on Thursday [19 Feb 2009] afternoon. The
bobcat was discovered dead just east of Lake Roberts on 11 Feb 2009 and was
confirmed rabies-positive on Thursday [19 Feb 2009].

The bobcat was the 2nd rabid bobcat found within 5 days. The 1st bobcat
attacked an unvaccinated dog in Mimbres on 6 Feb 2009 and was confirmed
rabies-positive on 11 Feb 2009. The bobcat was shot by the landowner.

"It's unusual to see these kinds of cases," said Chris Minnick, New Mexico
Department of Health public information officer. According to state public
health veterinarian Dr Paul Ettestad, the bobcats were most likely infected
by rabid foxes.

New Mexico Game and Fish wildlife conservation officer John Armijo said he
and his staff have held discussions on the prevention of rabies in foxes
and bobcats but have not yet come to any conclusions. "We haven't come up
with anything affirmative yet," he said. Armijo said he wasn't alarmed by
the 2 rabid bobcats. "Obviously, rabies has been around for awhile," he
said. "It's a lot more prevalent right now" due to the large number of
animals. Two foxes in Grant County have tested positive for rabies in 2009.
Last year [2008], there were 28 cases of rabies in New Mexico, including 18
foxes and one dog in the southwestern area of New Mexico. There were 14
foxes and one dog with rabies in Grant County, 2 foxes in Catron County and
one fox in Sierra and Hidalgo counties, according to the Department of Health.

Rabid foxes have been a problem for decades in Arizona, but were 1st
detected in New Mexico in the Glenwood area of Catron County in 2007.
"Grant County residents need to be vigilant in their efforts to prevent
rabies from affecting their families and their pets," Ettestad said in a
prepared statement. "Rabies is a fatal disease that can be prevented with
vaccination but cannot be cured once it has been diagnosed." If anyone sees
a suspicious looking or dead animal, they are encouraged to call Armijo at
(575) 534-4023 or the Santa Fe central dispatch at (505) 827-9376.

[byline: Holly Wise]

communicated by:
ProMED-mail rapporteur Susan Baekeland

[Inaccurate statements from the above article have been edited out. Rabies
is a viral infection. There are different strains of the virus, but it is
always possible to transmit rabies from an infected animal to a
non-infected animal or person.

Generally with an animal, the brain or the whole head is sent to the state
laboratory for confirmation of rabies. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia usually only does strain typing of the
rabies virus.

There are a number of strains of the virus: skunk strain, raccoon strain,
bat strain and others. No strain is confined to the species it is named
for. For example, the bobcat could have died of raccoon or bat strains of
rabies. It would be useful to know which strains are circulating in the area.

It seems the trend of rabies is increasing in New Mexico. Perhaps the state
should initiate a rabies campaign to remind owners to vaccinate their dogs,
cats, horses and other show animals, as all mammals are susceptible to the
rabies virus. The state may want to consider oral rabies vaccination for
its wildlife. - Mod.TG]

Rabies, Human - United Arab Emirates ex India

RABIES, HUMAN - UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ex INDIA
*********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Tue 17 Feb 2009
Source: Gulf News online [edited]


Patient's death is 1st rabies fatality in UAE in 10 years
---------------------------------------------------------
A man being treated for rabies at a local hospital died on Monday [16 Feb
2009], the 1st such death in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a decade.
Gulf News reported the labourer from India was admitted to Al Baraha
Hospital on 8 Feb 2009 after he started showing symptoms. Rabies is
transmitted through saliva and blood from an infected animal. The most
common method of transmission is through bites, and globally more than 90
per cent of infections come from bites from rabid dogs.

Dr Ali Al Marzouqi, director of public health at the Department of Health
and Medical Services, told Gulf News it was the 1st rabies case in the UAE
in a decade. "The last case was 10 or more years ago. I have been in the
public health sector for 9 years and this is the 1st case we've got," he said.

Dr Ali Shakar, director-general at the Ministry of Health, told Gulf News
the man's hand was bitten 6 months ago, prior to his arrival in the UAE.
"If he had sought treatment immediately after the bite, or even after he
arrived in the UAE, maybe he would have been okay," he said.

Treatment for rabies involves cleaning and disinfecting the wound, and
giving the victim a post-exposure vaccination as soon as possible. Rabies
is almost always fatal when symptoms show up. Dr Shakar said there was no
need to vaccinate anyone as the man's contacts in the UAE have not shown
signs of exposure to the virus. Exposure refers to a case where infected
saliva enters an open wound. "The main thing is this is not a public health
scare so there is no need to panic. It can happen anytime, anywhere in the
world," he said. "It doesn't transfer like other [infectious] diseases.
It's not bird flu," he added.

He also said the body would be buried according to the World Health
Organisation (WHO) procedures, which dictates the immediate burial or
cremation of the body. No special containers are required for the body,
although embalming is discouraged. Despite the case, health authorities are
unlikely to require incoming residents and workers to be screened for rabies.

"We have other more important diseases to watch out for like HIV,
tuberculosis and sexually-transmitted diseases, which are more infectious,"
Dr Marzouqi said. "And if someone gets rabies here, so what? Transmission
is rare and we have vaccines to treat people after they are bitten," he said.

Facts about rabies: Rabies is a zoonotic disease that kills 55 000 people a
year worldwide, mostly in rural areas in Asia and Africa. It 1st shows up
with flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, and fatigue. Then it
progresses to involve the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and the central
nervous systems. It also leads to hydrophobia or fear of water, due to
spasms in the throat. The patient develops hyperactivity, called furious
rabies, or paralysis, called dumb rabies.

UAE regulations: Pets are required to be vaccinated. Rabies is a notifiable
disease under the public health laws, requiring all sectors to report an
encounter.

[byline: Nina Muslim]

communicated by:
ProMED-Mail rapporteur Susan Baekeland

[An unfortunate accompaniment of the global migration of populations.

The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the United Arab Emirates is
accessible at . - Mod.CP]

Rabies, Canine, Human - Angola (03) : Luanda - 69 children reported dead from rabies

RABIES, CANINE, HUMAN - ANGOLA (03): LUANDA
*********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Wed 18 Feb 2009
Source: Independent Online [edited]


The number of children killed from rabies in Luanda rose to 69 on
Wednesday [18 Feb 2009], up from 50 last month, prompting authorities
to launch a new drive to round up hundreds of stray dogs in Angola's
capital city. The Health Ministry said health workers were rounding
up hundreds of strays in Luanda to counter the deadly virus that is
transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected animal. Almost
a 1000 dogs have already been collected since the rabies outbreak
began in November [2008]. Those that test positive for rabies are
killed; the others are released. "This is a tragedy because despite
all the efforts to control the rabies outbreak, things aren't getting
any better," Luis Bernardino, the director of Luanda's largest
children's hospital, told Reuters.

Children aged between 3 and 10 have been the main victims, as they
cannot protect themselves from dogs. Bernardino said the children are
usually from poor districts surrounding Luanda's urban core, where
thousands of stray dogs roam. Authorities in Luanda carried out a
city-wide vaccination campaign last month [January 2009] in which 100
000 animals -- dogs, cats and monkeys -- were inoculated in a city
that is home to more than 1/3rd of Angola's 16.5-million-strong
population. But this has failed to prevent the rabies death toll
among children from climbing in a country that already has one of the
worst infant mortality rates in the world. Two out of every 5
children die before reaching the age of 5, according to the United Nations.

Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via
ProMED-mail

[The effort to control urban rabies in the Angolan capital by a
combination of killing rabies-virus-infected feral dogs and
vaccination of urban dogs, cats and monkeys has had little impact on
the number of young children dying as a result of rabies virus
infection. A more sustained effort to control rabies by these means
will have to be implemented in combination with a more effective
education effort to inform the population of the hazard of rabies.

The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Angola showing the
location of Luanda in the north of the country can be accessed at:
.
- Mod.CP]

Rabies, Bovine, Feline - USA : (Vermont, Montana)

RABIES, BOVINE, FELINE - USA: (VERMONT, MONTANA)
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


[1] Vermont
Date: 14 Feb 2009
Source: Burlington Free Press [edited]


Rabies killed 2 cows at a Charlotte dairy farm this week, prompting
state officials to encourage vaccination of dairy herds.

The rare rabies incident presents no danger to the public milk
supply, assuming the milk is pasteurized, said Kelly Loftus, an
Agency of Agriculture spokeswoman. Pasteurized milk is heated to a
temperature that kills viruses and bacteria.

The infected cows died Monday and Tuesday [9-10 Feb 2009], Loftus
said. Tests confirmed the animals died of rabies. The rabies might
have been contracted from a raccoon that was killed by a farm dog
before the cows became ill, Loftus said. The dog had its rabies
vaccination and was unharmed, Loftus said.

The 2 cows were part of a 30-head herd at Judy and Robert Albu's
dairy farm in Charlotte, she said.

Joe Klopfenstein, owner of Vergennes Large Animal Associates in
Vergennes, said he was called to the Charlotte farm Sunday [8 Feb 2009].

"The 1st cow was down. She was stuck in her stall. She couldn't get
up. She was obviously not responsive. She was blind. She was not
responding to me. She had a low body temperature, dry stool,"
Klopfenstein said. "There were a lot of very unusual signs."

At first, Klopfenstein thought the cow had low-blood calcium. "But
the systems were not consistent," he said. The 2nd cow, he said, was
"hyper-aware. She looked like she was startled. Her eyes were wide
open, and her ears were up like something had frightened her,"
Klopfenstein said.

One cow was a Jersey and one was Holstein. He suspected both cows
would die. "The prognosis was poor," he said, and he encouraged
rabies tests be conducted because of the unusual neurological signs.

These aren't the 1st animals with rabies Klopfenstein has come across
during his 25-year career. He has evaluated similar cases in cows in
Monkton and Shoreham, a pig in Hinesburg, and a sheep in New Haven.
But those were exceptions. "Rabies is so rare," he said.

"It is unusual, but it does happen," Loftus said, noting Vermont had
one such case last year [2008]. Throughout the country, 150 cows
contracted rabies last year, she said.

State officials were initially concerned some of the people at the
Charlotte farm might have consumed raw milk that could have
transferred the rabies, which can be fatal. By Friday [13 Feb 2009]
afternoon, however, officials no longer believed farmers had drunk
the tainted milk, she said.

"Cows -- or any warm-blooded animal -- can pass rabies to people,
although there is no documented case of a human becoming infected
with rabies by drinking raw milk from a rabid cow. However, out of an
abundance of caution, the Health Department recommends that anyone
exposed to the virus should discuss possible treatment with their
health care provider," said Patsy Kelso, the state's acting
epidemiologist. "Because human rabies is fatal and the vaccine is
nearly 100 percent effective, we want to make sure that anyone who
may have consumed raw milk from the cow meet with their medical
provider to make an informed decision about whether or not to get vaccinated."

Since 1987, federal regulations have required all milk packaged for
human consumption be pasteurized before delivery into interstate commerce.

The Health Department and Agency of Agriculture are encouraging
anyone who had close contact with the cows or may have consumed raw
milk between 25 Jan and 8 Feb 2009 to discuss vaccination with their
health care provider.

The farm's remaining cows were vaccinated Wednesday [11 Feb 2009] and
are expected to remain healthy, Klopfenstein said.

Communicated by:
ProMED-mail

*********************************************************************************

[2] Montana
Date: 13 Feb 2009
Source: Helena Independent Record [edited]


Officials with the Lewis and Clark County Health Department confirmed
a case of rabies in a "semi-feral" cat near East Valley Middle School
Thursday [12 Feb 2009].

The cat, which has since been euthanized, was brought to a local
veterinarian by the owner, said Laurel Riek, an environmental health
specialist with the health department. Health department officials
presume the test will come back positive for rabies, and confirmation
is expected on Friday [13 Feb 2009].

In the interest of protecting the public, Riek said, notices about
the incident were sent out prior to that confirmation. A note was
sent home with students attending East Helena Public Schools on
Wednesday [11 Feb 2009], and text messages circulated Thursday
morning, Superintendent Ron Whitmoyer said.

"We can be proactive in our approach," he said.

Other unvaccinated cats from the East Helena home have been captured,
and animal control is assessing their threat, said Mike Henderson,
the health department communicative-disease control division administrator.

Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system
of humans and other mammals. People primarily get rabies from the
bite of an animal with rabies through the saliva of the infected animal.

It's not uncommon for wild animals to be rabid, Henderson said, but a
domestic animal with rabies hasn't been reported in the county since 1994.

Officials say if a person is bit by an animal suspected of having
rabies, they should wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water,
seek medical attention, and report any animal bites to the health
department at 447-8355 or the Lewis and Clark's Sheriff's office.

Communicated by:
ProMED-Mail Rapporteur Susan Baekeland

[All animals that we come into contact with should be vaccinated
against rabies. Rabies is a virus that is fatal for animals and is
almost always fatal in humans. It is extremely cheap insurance to
vaccinate your horses and cattle, cats and dogs.

Cattle with rabies are often hyper-alert with an odd ear twitch and a
very odd bellow that more often than not makes the hair on one's neck
stand up. Farm animals with rabies often have unusual signs (animals
have signs not symptoms) that may mimic other common diseases.

In the case with the cats, this is an excellent opportunity to remind
all owners to vaccinate their animals. - Mod.TG]

Rabies, Canine, Human - Angola (02) : (Huambo)

RABIES, CANINE, HUMAN - ANGOLA (02): (HUAMBO)
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Tue 3 Feb 2009
Source: Agencia AngolaPress [Portugese, trans. Mod.MPP, edited]


The Health Department of the Caala municipality, which is located 23
km from the provincial capital, reported 5 cases of people being
bitten by rabid dogs that were roaming in the main streets of the
city during the month of January [2009].

This fact was given to the Angop [Angola Press] today [3 Feb 2009] by
the head of the Health Division in the municipality of Caala, Ernesto
Albino Ndumbo, and thanks to prompt intervention of hospital
services, they [the people bitten by the rabid dogs] are out of
danger [presumably as a consequence of post-exposure vaccination].

Furthermore, the head of the municipal Health department in Caala
said the municipal health technicians have increased actions to raise
the awareness of residents on preventive measures against rabies. He
stressed that in addition to conducting talks in health centers, the
health technicians have also conducted door to door sensitization
activities to encourage the population to take their animals to the
vaccination centers.

The Angop knows that in the entire township of Caala, since January
2009, the veterinary services have immunized approximately 500
animals with rabies vaccine including dogs, cats and monkeys.

Communicated by:
ProMED-mail

[Unfortunately, such incidents have not been rare in Angola, and the
efforts of the authorities have been reactive rather than preemptive.
In January 2007 (see archive reference below), a similar outbreak
occurred in another township (Ukuma), also close to the provincial
capital, in which 21 people were bitten by dogs, one of whom died}

The location of Caala, a community of approximately 7000 persons in
the province of Huambo, can be found at:
.

A map of the provinces of Angola can be accessed at:

showing Huambo in the centre of the country. - Mod.CP]

Rabies, Canine, Human - Indoensia (02) ; Bali, Alert

RABIES, CANINE, HUMAN - INDONESIA (02): BALI, ALERT
***************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Fri 30 Jan 2009
Source: The Telegraph online [edited]


Bali tourists warned about rabies
---------------------------------
The authorities in Bali are battling a rabies outbreak that has
spread across the island and is threatening its tourism industry. The
1st cases were reported in Denpasar and Badung districts last
November [2008], but this month it spread to Kuta, one of the main
tourist resorts.

Since the beginning of January [2009], the number of infected people
has increased from a "handful" a week to at least 10 a day, hospital
staff have said. A total of 6 deaths have been reported. More than 24
000 pet dogs have been vaccinated, while more than 1000 strays have
been culled.

"It could be that in the past few months there were a number of cases
that weren't reported," said Ken Wirasandhi, the director of services
at Sanglah, Bali's largest hospital. "We've received calls from
tourists asking about the rabies situation, but we haven't received
reports of any tourists being bitten by dogs," said Gede Nurjaya, the
head of the Bali Tourism Authority.

Tour operators report that the outbreak has not yet led to
cancellations, but admit it is vital that the spread of the disease
is contained quickly. A spokesman for the tour operator Kuoni, which
reported this week that Indonesia had moved up from 20th in 2007 to
16th in its annual list of popular long-haul destinations, said it
was making passengers aware of the risks, but that no one had cancelled.

Since the onset of the financial downturn, Bali has struggled to
attract visitors. The number of tourists has failed to reach the
levels experienced before the bombings in October 2002, which killed
202 people. A further setback has been the banning of Indonesia's
main carrier, Garuda, from European territory, because of safety concerns.

The Foreign Office has joined the United States and Australia in
issuing a warning to travellers about rabies in Bali. Rabies has been
reported on the Indonesian islands of Java and Flores [see ProMED
refs. below. - Mod.JW], but this is the 1st time it has been recorded
on Bali.

The World Health Organisation estimates that more than 40 000 people
die from rabies every year. Most deaths take place in developing
countries, particularly in South-East Asia. Since 1946, there have
been 23 deaths among Britons infected with rabies abroad. A woman,
from Belfast, was the last Briton killed by the virus. She died
earlier this month [January 2009] in a hospital.

Byline: Charles Starmer-Smith]

Communicated by:
ProMED-mail


[The Indonesian authorities' efforts to contain the outbreak of
canine rabies to a restricted region of the island of Bali do not
appear to be succeeding, since the identification of a handful of
suspected human cases in late 2008/early January 2009 to the current
10 infected [bitten?] people a day, and a total of 6 fatalities, is a
measure of the lack of success in controlling the spread of canine
rabies on the island. Previous experience on other neighboring island
indicates that canine rabies cannot be controlled in the absence of a
comprehensive and systematic vaccination programme.

A map of the island of Bali showing the location of the endangered
tourist area of Kuta at the base of the southernmost peninsula, is
available at:
.

The location of the island of Bali can be found using the
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Indonesia at:
. - Mod.CP]

Rabies risk, Bats, Urban - Brazil : (Rio de Janiero)

RABIES RISK, BATS, URBAN - BRAZIL: (RIO DE JANEIRO)
***************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Sat 24 Jan 2009
Source: O Globo Rio [in Portuguese, trans. & summ. Mod.JW, edited]


In late December 2008, a 70-year-old woman was bitten near the right
eye by a bat inside her house in the Fonte de Saudade district of Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil. Since then, she and her neighbors sleep with the
windows closed. At first she did not realize she had been bitten, but
after a few days the spot became inflamed and very itchy. Doctors
told her it was a bat bite and have been treating her with
anti-rabies serum and rabies and tetanus vaccines.

Another woman, aged 38, living in the Leblon district of the city,
said that last year [2008] she was bitten in the foot while sleeping
in her apartment, and bled profusely.

Professionals at the RioZoo Foundation said that vampire bats
(_Desmodus rotundus_) bite mammals, but that the commonest bat in Rio
is the fruit bat (_Artibeus lituratus_). The mountainous areas of
Alto da Boa Vista and Gavea [where there are forests and caves. -
Mod.JW] are other parts of Rio where bats have been known to attack
people.

They said that bat bites can lead to 3 types of disease: tetanus,
mild infections, and rabies. They recommend that if a bat enters a
room, the lights should be turned off and the windows left open so
that it can get out again. In case of a bat bite, the victim should
go to a health post to be treated with anti-rabies serum and rabies
and tetanus vaccines, and antibiotics.

Communicated by:
ProMED-mail


[The initially painless bite inflicted on the 1st victim sounds like
a small insectivorous bat, which is unlikely to bite a human unless
it is rabid. The profusely bleeding wound on the foot of the 2nd is
characteristic of a vampire bat bite, and it is hoped that the victim
is also receiving the appropriate treatment, although not every
vampire bat is infected with rabies virus. Fruit bats are large and
very noticeable (see image below), and unlikely to have been involved
in these 2 cases, but can also transmit rabies if infected in the
roost.

Image of insectivorous bat (_Myotis_ sp.):

Image of a vampire bat (_Desmodus_):

Image of a fruit bat (_Artibeus_):
. - Mod.JW

Rio de Janeiro can be located on the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive
map of Brazil at
. - CopyEd.MJ]

Rabies, Canine, Human - Angola: (Luanda)

RABIES, CANINE, HUMAN - ANGOLA: (LUANDA)
****************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Tue 20 Jan 2009
Source: Diario Digital [trans. by Mod.MPP, edited]


Outbreak of rabies has killed 42 children in Luanda
---------------------------------------------------
An outbreak of rabies in the Angolan capital has resulted in the
death of 42 children since October [2008], Luis Bernadino, the
Director General of the Pediatric Hospital of Luanda, revealed today
[20 Jan 2009]. The Health Services of the Provincial Government of
Luanda has not yet provided data on the total number of cases,
including adults.

Luis Bernardino told the Lusa News Agency that the number of deaths
[42] refers to the total number of children admitted to the hospital
that were infected with rabies virus. The doctor stated that that the
majority of victims are male children, between 4 and 10 years old.
According to the Director General of the Luanda Pediatric Hospital,
the high number of [cases], is due to the fact that they are admitted
'too late' when it is no longer possible to save lives. "The vaccines
are only effective if administered within 24 hours after infection
[the bite]," he stressed. The report advises that, 'when there is the
knowledge that a child (and perhaps also adults), has been bitten by
animals -- mostly dogs, cats or monkeys -- the child she should be
taken immediately to a medical post so they can be vaccinated and monitored.'

To combat the rabies outbreak, during the past 12 days, the Luanda
Provincial Government has implemented a campaign involving mass
vaccination of animals and collection of strays. This campaign ends
next Friday [23 Jan 2009] and data currently indicate that more than
50,000 animals have been vaccinated. In statements to Lusa, the
Provincial Director of Agriculture and Rural Development, Maria
Galeia da Paz, said that the campaign is going well, having already
vaccinated in 8 days, the number of animals that, in normal years,
took 45 days to vaccinate. A total of 25 brigades, with 100
vaccinators for each municipality were formed, with the exception of
the municipality of Maianga which has only 80 vaccinators. Luanda has
9 municipalities. There are already 9 cars, one for each municipality
that are being used for the collection of animals. Each municipal
government has the task of preparing a place where the animals can be
held temporarily pending identification by owners. "People have no
more than 24 hours to make the claims, so after that period [24
hours] animals that have not been claimed by owners will be killed,"
he stressed.

Communicated by:
ProMED-PORT


[The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Angola is available at:
. The capital, Luanda,
is situated on the northern coast of Angola, some 200 miles to the
north of Huambo where a similar large scale outbreak of rabies
occurred in 2007. The authorities in Luanda appear to be responding
with vigor to control the domestic and feral dog population, but the
balance between vaccination and killing is not clear from the
report. - Mod.CP]

Rabies, Canine, Human - South Africa : (Eastern Cape) Suspected

RABIES, CANINE, HUMAN - SOUTH AFRICA: (EASTERN CAPE) SUSPECTED
**************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Fri 16 Jan 2009
Source: Independent online, SAPA report [edited]


Suspected rabies outbreak in Eastern Cape
-----------------------------------------
The Eastern Cape Department of Health officials were attending to a
suspected rabies outbreak in Mgwenyane village near Libode on Friday 16 Jan
2009, the department said. Spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the department
had dispatched an outbreak team to the village after at least 8 people were
bitten by 2 dogs in the village.

One of the dogs attacked its owner and then bit 5 other people before
running away. The other dog bit 2 people and also ran away. The dogs were
believed to have fled into a nearby forest. All the people who had been
bitten were identified and taken to a nearby hospital where they were being
treated for dog bites and receiving anti-rabies medication.

The outbreak team was on the scene informing people to treat all dogs in
the area with suspicion. "We are urging those who had been bitten to come
forward and be treated with immediate effect," Kupelo said. The suspected
outbreak was reported to the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture. The
Department was responsible for immunising dogs in the area and would help
with further investigations. Kupelo said that the Department only suspected
that the dogs suffered from rabies but that further investigation would
reveal the facts. The ages of the people bitten ranged from 4 to 66 years old.

communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail


[Although the diagnosis of rabies virus infection has not been confirmed by
laboratory tests, it is highly probable that the diagnosis will be
confirmed in view of the frequency of reports of rabies from this province
of South Africa. That said, this report suggests that the risk of
contracting rabies virus infection from feral dogs may be of no greater
concern than some of the social practices prevalent in the region.

The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of South Africa is available at
. A map showing the provinces
of south Africa can be accessed at
, and the
location of the city of Libode can be found at
. - Mod.CP]