Epidemiological and Genetic Characteristics of Rabies Virus in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand, 2011-2014

Abstract

Total 105 human rabies cases were reported in Thailand during 2006 to 2012. The objectives of this study were to describe epidemiology of animal rabies and genetic characteristics of the viruses found in Ubon Ratchathani Province where the highest number of animal rabies reported in 2011-2015. All 120 animal brain samples submitted to Veterinary Research and Development Center during 2011 to 2014 were included in this study. Epidemiological information was obtained from the sample submitter interview. The virus was identified with direct fluorescent antibody assay and characterized by neighbor-joining analysis. Muang (30.7%), Khemarat (23.1%) and Trakarn Puetpon (10.3%) districts had the highest incidence. The majority of the positive samples were from dogs (92.3%) and samples from dogs were 3.7 times more likely to be found positive, compared to those of other animals. The genetic analysis revealed close relationship between isolates from this study and other rabies viruses isolated in Asia. Rabies viruses in the province appeared to be localized and there was no evidence of transmission from China or Philippines. Determination of epidemiology and genetic characterization of rabies virus in specific areas or nationwide should be performed continuously to monitor the disease trend.