Surveillance of Canine Rabies in the Central African Republic: Impact on Human Health and Molecular Epidemiology.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although rabies represents an important public health threat, it is still a neglected disease in Asia and Africa where it causes tens of thousands of deaths annually despite available human and animal vaccines. In the Central African Republic (CAR), an endemic country for rabies, this disease remains poorly investigated.

Methods

To evaluate the extent of the threat that rabies poses in the CAR, we analyzed data for 2012 from the National Reference Laboratory for Rabies, where laboratory confirmation was performed by immunofluorescence and PCR for both animal and human suspected cases, and data from the only anti-rabies dispensary of the country and only place where post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is available. Both are located in Bangui, the capital of the CAR. Fo

SUBMITTER: Tricou V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4747513 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature