Further review of the epidemiology of rabies in Zambia (1975-1982)

Abstract

A review of rabies-positive cases between 1975 and 1982 showed that rabies occurred mainly in dogs. During this period a total of 1,384 cases were diagnosed, 1,076 (77.7%) of which were in dogs. During the same period, 280 cases occurred among farm animals, prin cipally in bovines (199 cases, 14.3%). The jackal was the most fre quently affected species among the wildlife population. Fourteen human cases were also confirmed at the laboratory during the same period. The role played by dogs and jackals in maintaining and spreading the disease in Zambia is presented and discussed.

Rabies Status in Zambia for the Period 1985–2004

“…This study confirms what has been previously observed that the domestic dog is the principal vector involved in the transmission and maintenance of rabies in Zambia (Hayles and Sachuk, 1976; Gaspar, 1977; Hussein et al., 1984) with an average of 2.93 (95% CI 2.59–3.29) positive cases per month for the period 1985–2004. This is consistent with observations made from other countries in sub‐Saharan Africa (Edelsten, 1995; Bingham, 2005).…”

“…Hayles and Sachuk (1976) recorded a total of 1824 samples of which 702 were diagnosed positive giving an average of 140 positive cases per annum for the 5 years period 1970–1974. This was followed by a total of 3245 samples of which 1384 were rabies positive giving an average of 173 positive cases per annum for the period 1975–1982 (Hussein et al., 1984). The present study shows a reduction with an average of 53 positive cases per annum for the 20 years period 1985–2004.…”

“…Rabies was recognized among domestic animals in the farming communities as early as 1914 (Gaspar, 1977). Thereafter, scattered foci continued to occur throughout Zambia between 1940 and 1960 (Hussein et al., 1984). These foci served as starting points for intermittent epizootics resulting in the countrywide distribution and spread of the disease from rural communities to townships (Gaspar, 1977).…”

“…The diagnosis of the disease was first confirmed in 1913 at the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Mazabuka. Rabies has continued to occur throughout the country expanding into urban areas (Hayles and Sachuk, 1976; Gaspar, 1977; Hussein et al., 1984). There has been no comprehensive epidemiological study of the disease carried out in the last two decades apart from reviews carried out by Hussein et al.…”

Genetic diversity of rabies virus in different host species and geographic regions of Zambia and Zimbabwe

“…Rabies is endemic in both Zambia and Zimbabwe, with prevention attempts focusing on the strict use of vaccination and population control of dogs. Several wildlife carnivores such as jackals [2][3][4][5] and mongooses [6][7][8][9] have been implicated as reservoirs of rabies. However, in contrast to work in other regions, a study on the Selous mongoose (Paracynictis selousi) in Zambia ruled out the possibility of that carnivore being a wildlife reservoir of rabies in Zambia [10].…”