Factors and features of manifestation and distribution of rabies on the territory of the Republic of Tuva

Abstract

The dynamics and features of animal rabies manifestation on the territory of the Republic of Tuva have been studied. In the Republic of Tuva in the period of 1979-2019 outbreaks of rabies were reported in 1979, 1987, 2007-2009, 2012-2014, 2018-2019. There were 79 adverse locations revealed with 127 laboratory confirmed cases of rabies of four species of wild animals, two domestic carnivores and four agricultural animals. For the first time the cause of the outbreak of rabies was the introduction of infection by wild carnivores from adverse neighboring regions and Mongolia. Subsequently, a natural focus of rabies developed on the territory of the region. The epidemic process of rabies proceeded with five waves of intensity exacerbation, which was facilitated by a sharp increase in the population of wild carnivores, especially wolves, as well as an uncontrolled population of stray dogs with the involvement of domestic and farm animals in the epizootic process. The spread of the disease is influenced by the natural and climatic conditions of the region, the traditional distant pasture management of livestock with the movement of livestock to pastures adjacent to the habitat of wild predators. Domestic and farm animals are attacked by predators, most often wolves and foxes. Infection of animals and humans with rabies occurs through bites with saliva. As a result, rabies foci appear in these areas. Zones of high and low degree of epizootic danger and zones free from rabies have been identified on the territory of the Republic of Tuva. The high-risk areas include the steppe and semi-desert territories of the Ubsu-Nur and Tuva depressions. The mountain-taiga Todzhinsky and Tere-Kholsky regions of the eastern zone are classified as areas of low epizootic danger; Pii-Khem and Kaa-Khem regions of the Yenisei basin of the central zone are classified as rabies-free.