Aspectos epidemiológicos da Raiva no estado do Rio Grande do Norte (2005 a 2021)

Abstract

Rabies is a serious and environmental infectious disease that affects mammals, mainly dogs, but also other species. It is caused by the rabies virus, belonging to the Lyssavirus genus and the Rhabdoviridae family. It is transmitted through infected saliva, usually through a bite. Rabies is considered an endemic disease worldwide, with a higher incidence in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The objective of this work is to describe epidemiological aspects of rabies in mammalian species in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. The records and notes book of the animal rabies diagnosis sector - LACEN/RN and the Laboratory Environment Manager - GAL, from October 2005 to December 2021 were used as a source of information for laboratory analysis of suspected cases of rabies, 5,632 samples from non-human mammals and 17 samples from humans. Of the total samples of non-human mammals forwarded and confirmed, 611 (10.8%) had a confirmed diagnosis of rabies. In the same period, only one of the 17 human samples revealed had a confirmed diagnosis of rabies, which corresponds to (5.89%) of the total number of suspected cases. Considering the studied species, samples of 2,507 bats were analyzed, of which 416 (16.6%) were positive for rabies. Of a total of 1647 samples from domestic canines that were examined, 17 (1.03%) were positive. Additionally, 688 samples from domestic cats were confirmed, of which four (0.59%) were positive. In the context of cattle, out of 148 studies carried out, 92 (62.20%) were positive. A total of 105 fox samples were explored and 59 (56.11%) were positive. As for horses, of the 47 samples tested, 17 (36.18%) were positive. Of the 18 proven sheep samples, two (11.11%) were positive. Of the 11 positive test samples, three (27, 28%) were positive for rabies. Of three proven donkey samples, one (33.33%) was positive. Of the 417 samples tested from non-human primates (NHP), 31 prawns and 10 goats, none were positive for rabies. From this study, we can conclude that the rabies virus is circulating in ecosystems in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, mainly cattle, mutant horses and foxes. Because it is a neglected zoonosis with unique and complex epidemiological characteristics, it deserves further studies and attention from health authorities.