Abstract
In recent years, the number of human rabies cases in the People's Republic of China has increased during severe epidemics in 3 southern provinces (Guizhou, Guangxi, and Hunan). To analyze the causes of the high incidence of human rabies in this region, during 2005-2007, we collected 2,887 brain specimens from apparently healthy domestic dogs used for meat consumption in restaurants, 4 specimens from suspected rabid dogs, and 3 from humans with rabies in the 3 provinces. Partial nucleoprotein gene sequences were obtained from rabies-positive specimens. Phylogenetic relationships and distribution of viruses were determined. We infer that the spread of rabies viruses from high-incidence regions, particularly by long-distance movement or transprovincial translocation of dogs caused by human-related activities, may be 1 cause of the recent massive human rabies epidemics in southern China.
Highlights
In recent years, the number of human rabies cases in the People’s Republic of China has increased during severe epidemics in 3 southern provinces (Guizhou, Guangxi, and Hunan)
Molecular epidemiologic analysis of dog specimens collected from 5 provinces (Guangxi, Hunan, Guizhou, Jiangsu, and Henan) demonstrated that rabies viruses (RABVs) in China are similar to those reported from previous epidemics [11]
The 7 additional specimens obtained from 4 dogs suspected of having rabies and 3 patients who died of rabies all were positive for RABV
Summary
The number of human rabies cases in the People’s Republic of China has increased during severe epidemics in 3 southern provinces (Guizhou, Guangxi, and Hunan). Descriptive epidemiologic analysis showed that the increase in domestic dog populations and low vaccination coverage have contributed to rabies epidemics in the 3 provinces in southern China [7,8,9]. Molecular epidemiologic analysis of dog specimens collected from 5 provinces (Guangxi, Hunan, Guizhou, Jiangsu, and Henan) demonstrated that rabies viruses (RABVs) in China are similar to those reported from previous epidemics [11]. Partial N gene sequences were obtained in an attempt to understand the sustained increase in rabies cases in China by analysis of RABVs circulating in the 3 southern provinces with the highest rabies incidence
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