Abstract
We analyzed how land-use patterns and changes in urbanization influence reported rabid raccoons in Georgia from 2006 - 2010. Using Geographical Information Systems and rabies surveillance data, multivariate analysis was conducted on 15 land-use variables that included natural topography, agricultural development, and urbanization to model positive raccoon rabies cases while controlling for potential raccoon submission bias associated with higher human population densities. Low intensity residential development was positively associated with reported rabid raccoons while a negative association was found with evergreen forest. Evergreen forests may offer a barrier effect where resources are low and raccoon populations are not supported. Areas with pure stands of upland evergreen forest might be utilized in baiting strategies for oral rabies vaccination programs where fewer or no baits may be needed. Their use as a barrier should be considered carefully in a cost-effective strategy for oral rabies vaccination (ORV) programs to contain the western spread of this important zoonotic disease.
Highlights
We use Geographical Information Systems (GIS) analysis to exhibit how both natural topography and urbanization potentially affect the dynamics of a zoonotic disease in its reservoir species
The primary reservoir for rabies in Georgia, and, the entire eastern part of the Use Patterns Georgia (USA), is the raccoon (Procyon lotor). dogs previously served as the main reservoir for rabies throughout the USA, dog rabies virus variants in the USA have been eliminated through persistent vaccination programs and policies[1]
Using Georgia Department of Public Health laboratory data on raccoon specimens submitted for rabies testing, and the US Geological Survey Land Cover Database, we report a model to predict rabid raccoon cases from land use patterns
Summary
Any reports and responses or comments on the article can be found at the end of the article. This article is included in the Neglected Tropical Diseases collection. Minor editing revisions were done based on reviewers’ comments. See lead author’s comments in reviewers’ reports
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