Evaluation of rabies control measure effectiveness in the Russian Federation

Abstract

Rabies is a zooanthroponotic disease, causing significant economic damage, resulting from losses due to livestock deaths, costs of preventive measures and diagnostic tests. The disease is transmitted through biting or licking of damaged skin or mucosa. The disease is absolutely fatal and practically all warm-blooded animals are susceptible to it. The paper presents the analysis of statistical data on rabies morbidity and mortality among humans and animals; the assessment of epidemic situation in the Russian Federation, including the target population vaccination coverage and effectiveness evaluation of measures, taken in Russia to prevent rabies spread. The major causes of human mortality are considered. The recommendations on decreasing the disease spread risks are given. It was established that about 60 thousand human deaths and 45 thousand animal deaths from rabies have been reported in the Russian Federation within the past 10 years (from 2010 to 2019). Moreover cases of licking/scratching/biting of humans (397,248 cases in 2019, out of them 10,232 by wild animals) are reported every year. The sources of human infection within the mentioned period were dogs (39%), foxes (18%), cats (14%), raccoon dogs (14%), wolves (4%), polar foxes (4%), ferrets (4%), unknown sources (3%). The analysis of data from veterinary reports showed that the most rabies-infected regions are the Central and Volga Federal Districts. Using the mathematical modeling of the epidemic process the results of preventive measures, taken by the Veterinary Service in case of rabies in the region, were evaluated.