Recurrence of Animal Rabies, Greece, 2012

Rabies outbreak in Greece during 2012–2014: use of Geographical Information System for analysis, risk assessment and control

“…In fact, there is a geographical similarity, in terms of altitude and land use, of the area of Kilkis (a border administrative unit of the country) with the respective unit Selemli in FYROM, where a rabid red fox was diagnosed in 2011. Results of relevant studies have confirmed phylogenetic similarity of the Greek rabies viral strains with strains of the virus from rabies cases in FYROM, Bulgaria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia [7]. These findings, allied to the location of the initial cases of the disease, i.e.…”

Rabies in Greece; historical perspectives in view of the current re-emergence in wild and domestic animals

“…Positive samples were further subjected to sequencing analysis of the N-gene. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial sequences (first 567-nt of the N gene) of Greek isolates compared to representative sequences from Balkan showed that Greek isolates resolved within the EE group of the cosmopolitan lineage along with isolates from FYROM, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia Herzegovina and Montenegro [38]. The partial sequencing analysis and the subsequent phylogenetic analysis supported the hypothesis of movement of rabiesinfected hosts in Western Balkan countries [38].…”

“…Phylogenetic analysis of the partial sequences (first 567-nt of the N gene) of Greek isolates compared to representative sequences from Balkan showed that Greek isolates resolved within the EE group of the cosmopolitan lineage along with isolates from FYROM, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia Herzegovina and Montenegro [38]. The partial sequencing analysis and the subsequent phylogenetic analysis supported the hypothesis of movement of rabiesinfected hosts in Western Balkan countries [38]. Following the identification of the infected fox, the collection of samples from dead and suspect for rabies animals was extended in 2013 on the entire country with a main aim to achieve a more efficient surveillance of the disease.…”

Bovine rabies in Greece in 2013

“…Despite the elimination of rabies virus (RABV) circulation and spillover to other species, including domestic animals and human beings, in Western European countries, costly control efforts are also required in other European countries in order to eliminate the disease (WHO 2013). Wildlife rabies still occurs in the Balkans posing a threat to neighbouring rabies‐free countries, as in the case of Greece, where after 25 years of rabies‐free status, a red fox was found positive in 2012 (Tasioudi and others 2014, Tsiodras and others 2014).…”

“…The reappearance of rabies in Greece led to the intensification of the pre‐existing passive surveillance programme, which is based on the collection and laboratory testing of brain samples derived from all susceptible to RABV animals found dead or presenting abnormal behaviour or clinical signs consistent with rabies (Tasioudi and others 2014). Furthermore, oral rabies vaccination (ORV) campaigns are being carried out since autumn 2013 followed by active surveillance programme.…”