Ecology of Arctic rabies: 60 years of disease surveillance in the warming climate of northern Canada

Simon, Audrey; Beauchamp, Guy; Bélanger, Denise; Bouchard, Catherine; Fehlner-Gardiner, Christine; Lecomte, Nicolas; Rees, Erin E.; Leighton, Patrick A.

doi:10.1111/zph.12848

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…In northern regions, health risks related to dog bites are exacerbated by the endemic presence of the Arctic Rabies Virus Variant (ARVV) among Arctic fox Vulpes lagopus populations in many northern locations, including northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Svalbard, and northern Russia ( 21 , 22 ). In Canada, either in those communities, dog vaccination against rabies is not mandatory.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Incidence of dog bites, and their risk factors, have more often been studied in western urban environments. A study conducted in 22 Canadian municipalities between 2003 and 2005 estimated the annual incidence of dog bites to 0-9 per 10,000 inhabitants (2). The incidence is suspected to be underestimated, because they are often underreported by victims who do not always seek medical care (3,4).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding dogs and dog bites in Indigenous northern communities: A mixed methods study

et al. 2023

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IntroductionThe singular relationship developed over the years between northern Indigenous peoples and dogs has been profoundly changed through historical trauma, settlements and increased use of snowmobiles. Issues related to dogs have become increasingly complex and worrisome with the endemic presence of the rabies virus among Arctic fox populations, and given the fact that northern Indigenous peoples may have a higher risk of dog bites than the general population. This study aimed to investigate factors related to the risk of dog bites in Naskapi and Innu communities located in northern Quebec (Canada) by (1) describing the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding dogs and dog bites in these communities, and (2) analyzing experiences of inhabitants and health professionals with regard to dog bites and their management.MethodsA mixed methods study design that combined an observational cross-sectional survey and individual interviews was used. The survey collected data on KAP regarding dogs and dog bites among 122 respondents. Individual interviews (n = 37) were then conducted with victims of dog bites, owners of dogs that have bitten a person before, and health professionals. Descriptive and inferential analysis (quantitative data) and thematic analysis (qualitative data) were performed.Results and discussionResults highlighted that 21% of respondents have had a dog bite in their lifetime. Most respondents were not aware of the risk of contracting rabies following a dog bite, although rabies risk perception was associated with risk perception of dogs (linear regression: coefficient = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.36–1.02). The odds of being more knowledgeable on rabies were higher (logistic regression: OR = 2.92, 95% CI = 1.07–7.98) among young adults. Dogs were perceived as both threats and protectors by community members. When the fear of dogs was present, it affected the quality of life of some inhabitants. There was confusion about responsibilities in the management of biting dogs, although protocols to follow after a bite were clear for health care professionals. This study revealed a lack of awareness and knowledge about dog bites and rabies risks in both communities. Results provide important knowledge for the development of interventions adapted to northern Indigenous communities.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding dogs and dog bites in Indigenous northern communities: A mixed methods study

et al. 2023

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“…First, the high proportion of individuals undertaking long-distance dispersal explains that Arctic foxes can spread the rabies virus efficiently across the Arctic. Second, the scale of observed movements confirms that this species can spread the virus at a continental scale, as suggested by temporal correlations in the number of rabies cases between adjacent areas across northern Canada [ 100 ]. Third, whereas juvenile dispersal is traditionally seen as a main building block for the virus spread, we show that the role of adults should not be underestimated, especially in efforts to model rabies outbreaks [ 101 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Long-term satellite tracking reveals patterns of long-distance dispersal in juvenile and adult Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus)

2023

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Long-distance dispersal plays a key role in species distribution and persistence. However, its movement metrics and ecological implications may differ whether it is undertaken by juveniles (natal dispersal) or adults (breeding dispersal). We investigated the influence of life stage on long-distance dispersal in the Arctic fox, an important tundra predator. We fitted 170 individuals with satellite collars during a 13-year study on Bylot Island (Nunavut, Canada), and analysed the tracks of 10 juveniles and 27 adults engaging in long-distance dispersal across the Canadian High Arctic. This behaviour was much more common than expected, especially in juveniles (62.5%, adults: 19.4%). Emigration of juveniles occurred mainly at the end of summer while departure of adults was not synchronized. Juveniles travelled for longer periods and over longer cumulative distances than adults, but spent similar proportions of their time travelling on sea ice versus land. Successful immigration occurred mostly in late spring and was similar for juveniles and adults (30% versus 37%). Our results reveal how life stage influences key aspects of long-distance dispersal in a highly mobile canid. This new knowledge is critical to understand the circumpolar genetic structure of the species, and how Arctic foxes can spread zoonoses across vast geographical areas.

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“…Rabies has been documented in the Canadian Arctic, Greenland and Svalbard for a long time, known to be transmitted by Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) to dogs and people [7]. The Arctic rabies virus variant (ARVV) has been enzootic in northern Canada over the last 60 years [8], and is thought to be persisting mainly in populations of Arctic foxes, despite its low density across its distribution range [9][10][11]. It has been isolated in a number of other mammalian species throughout the Arctic, but also in more southerly areas [11,12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low levels of genetic differentiation and structure in red fox populations in Eastern Canada and implications for Arctic fox rabies propagation potential

Talbot,

Alanazi,

Albert

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

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Rabies is a lethal zoonosis present in most parts of the world which can be transmitted to humans through the bite from an infected mammalian reservoir host. The Arctic rabies virus variant (ARVV) persists mainly in populations of Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus), and to a lesser extent in red fox populations (Vulpes vulpes). Red foxes are thought to be responsible for sporadic southward movement waves of the ARVV outside the enzootic area of northern Canada. In this study, we wanted to investigate whether red foxes displayed notable levels of genetic structure across the Quebec-Labrador Peninsula, which includes portions of the provinces of Quebec and Newfoundland-Labrador in Canada, and is a region with a history of southward ARVV movement waves. We combined two datasets that were collected and genotyped using different protocols, totalling 675 red fox individuals across the whole region and genotyped across 13 microsatellite markers. We found two genetic clusters across the region, reflecting a latitudinal gradient, and characterized by low genetic differentiation. We also observed weak but significant isolation by distance, which seems to be marginally more important for females than for males. These findings suggest a general lack of resistance to movement in red fox populations across the Quebec-Labrador Peninsula, regardless of sex. Implications of these findings include additional support for the hypothesis of long-distance southward ARVV propagation through its red fox reservoir host.

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Ecology of Arctic rabies: 60 years of disease surveillance in the warming climate of northern Canada

Cited by 12 publications

References 22 publications

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding dogs and dog bites in Indigenous northern communities: A mixed methods study

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding dogs and dog bites in Indigenous northern communities: A mixed methods study

Long-term satellite tracking reveals patterns of long-distance dispersal in juvenile and adult Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus)

Low levels of genetic differentiation and structure in red fox populations in Eastern Canada and implications for Arctic fox rabies propagation potential

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