Laboratory data of dog rabies in southern Cameroon from 2010 to 2013

Abstract

BackgroundDog rabies is endemic in most African countries and the risk of human rabies is estimated to be high in Cameroon according to WHO estimations in 2010. This study aimed to describe the circulation rabies virus (RABV) among dogs in the southern regions of Cameroon from 2010 to 2013 in a context, where mass vaccination campaigns are launched annually in order to control rabies in domestic animals including dogs and cats.FindingsFrom 2010 to 2013, 93 animal specimens (dogs: 91, monkey: 1, pig: 1) originating from the southern regions of Cameroon were collected and tested for rabies virus at the Centre Pasteur of Cameroon by fluorescent antibody test (FAT) and virus isolation. Of the total dog specimens, 69.2% (63/91) originated from the central part of the southern regions and 50.5% (46/91) were from the capital city Yaounde. Overall, 74.2% (66/89) of dogs’ specimens that could be tested were found rabies-positive while specimens from the monkey and pig were tested negative. Overall, dog rabies was repeatedly detected in the southern regions of Cameroon especially in the nation capital, Yaounde even though low specimen submission and geographic bias did not permit major conclusions about its actual rate, geographical and over time distribution.ConclusionsThe results of this study indicate that rabies is endemic in the dog population which is of public health concern. Therefore, coordinated rabies control program should be conducted to reduce the rabies incidence in dogs and in humans. In addition, proper rabies surveillance program including reporting system should be established to monitor the success of the control program in Cameroon.

Improving systematic rabies surveillance in Cameroon: A pilot initiative and results for 2014-2016

“…Although animal rabies surveillance was not a major aspect of the reinforced surveillance and veterinary support was limited, seven animal samples were collected during veterinary follow-up investigations and submitted for rabies confirmation, of which four of the six dogs (67%) were confirmed positive. Despite the small number of samples, these results are comparable to dog rabies confirmation rates previously reported for Cameroon [ 8 , 9 ]. Of the 721 dogs that died during observational quarantine in the 1990−1999 period, 330 (46%) were confirmed positive [ 8 ], whereas a confirmation rate of 74% was obtained for 89 suspected rabid dogs sampled between 2010 and 2013 [ 9 ].…”

“…Despite the small number of samples, these results are comparable to dog rabies confirmation rates previously reported for Cameroon [ 8 , 9 ]. Of the 721 dogs that died during observational quarantine in the 1990−1999 period, 330 (46%) were confirmed positive [ 8 ], whereas a confirmation rate of 74% was obtained for 89 suspected rabid dogs sampled between 2010 and 2013 [ 9 ]. These results confirm that rabies is present in a substantial proportion of the dogs suspected of being rabid.…”

“…Rabies control legislation also requires vaccination of pet dogs and cats and requires that owners of biting animals are recorded in each district. Although rabies control efforts, such as yearly reduced-price pet vaccination events, radio information campaigns, and dog culling, exist in Cameroon, the impacts of these programs are unknown [ 9 , 13 ].…”

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic relatedness of dog-derived Rabies Viruses circulating in Cameroon between 2010 and 2016

“…Canine rabies has been shown to be endemic in Cameroon and relatively higher frequencies of rabid dogs have been reported in urban settings compared to rural areas [ 7 , 8 ]. In the absence of a multiannual active national surveillance and control strategy, the actual burden of human and animal rabies in Cameroon is likely underestimated as in other African countries [ 3 , 9 – 12 ].…”

“…In the absence of a multiannual active national surveillance and control strategy, the actual burden of human and animal rabies in Cameroon is likely underestimated as in other African countries [ 3 , 9 – 12 ]. Some rabies control interventions, such as yearly discount of pet vaccination and irregular radio communication campaigns, are conducted in Cameroon but their actual impact remains unknown [ 8 , 9 , 13 ].…”