First Human Rabies Case in French Guiana, 2008: Epidemiological Investigation and Control

Abstract

BackgroundUntil 2008, human rabies had never been reported in French Guiana. On 28 May 2008, the French National Reference Center for Rabies (Institut Pasteur, Paris) confirmed the rabies diagnosis, based on hemi-nested polymerase chain reaction on skin biopsy and saliva specimens from a Guianan, who had never travelled overseas and died in Cayenne after presenting clinically typical meningoencephalitis.Methodology/Principal FindingsMolecular typing of the virus identified a Lyssavirus (Rabies virus species), closely related to those circulating in hematophagous bats (mainly Desmodus rotundus) in Latin America. A multidisciplinary Crisis Unit was activated. Its objectives were to implement an epidemiological investigation and a veterinary survey, to provide control measures and establish a communications program. The origin of the contamination was not formally established, but was probably linked to a bat bite based on the virus type isolated. After confirming exposure of 90 persons, they were vaccinated against rabies: 42 from the case's entourage and 48 healthcare workers. To handle that emergence and the local population's increased demand to be vaccinated, a specific communications program was established using several media: television, newspaper, radio.Conclusion/SignificanceThis episode, occurring in the context of a Department far from continental France, strongly affected the local population, healthcare workers and authorities, and the management team faced intense pressure. This observation confirms that the risk of contracting rabies in French Guiana is real, with consequences for population educational program, control measures, medical diagnosis and post-exposure prophylaxis.

The shift in rabies epidemiology in France: time to adjust rabies post-exposure risk assessment

“…Among all French territories, rabies remains uncontrolled in French Guiana and represents the main hotspot for rabies risk in France. One case developed rabies in French Guiana due to a virus closely related to those circulating in hematophagous bats in Latin America [ 42 , 43 ]. The very low number of human rabies cases during the study period and the absence of autochthonous cases in mainland France mainly reflect the very low risk of being exposed to a rabid animal in France since the declaration of rabies-free status (in non-flying terrestrial mammals) to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in 2001 [ 21 , 44 ].…”

Complete Genome Sequence of a Vampire Bat Rabies Virus from French Guiana

“…In French Guiana, on the northern part of South America, 14 rabies cases were recorded in cattle and domestic carnivores between 1984 and 2011 ( 4 ). In 2008, a human rabies case was recorded ( 5 ). All cases were related to vampire bat-associated rabies viruses (RABV).…”

Bioecological Drivers of Rabies Virus Circulation in a Neotropical Bat Community

“…In 2008, a human rabies case was recorded. The origin of the contamination was not formally established but transmission by a vampire bat bite was favoured [ 38 ], molecular typing of this virus (polymerase (L) gene, Genbank accession number GU816007) showed a close relationship with the viruses circulating in haematophagous bats in neighbouring countries.…”