Epidemiological investigation of rabies in Punjab

Abstract

A 5-year study was conducted to investigate epidemiological aspects of rabies in different species of animals. The study was conducted on brain tissues collected from 384 animals comprising 231 dogs, 79 buffaloes, 46 cows and 28 wild species. Out of the 384 suspected cases, 55.98% were positive for rabies. Among the various species of animals, the maximum rabies cases were in dogs (59.53% -128/215) followed by buffaloes (20.46%-44/215), cows (13.48%- 29/215) and wild animals (6.51%-14/215). Higher incidence of rabies was reported during certain months of the year in different species of animals. Old male dogs (39%) and older female bovines (57%) were found more affected with rabies. As compared to the paralytic signs in 30% rabid dogs, 61% rabid dogs revealed aggressive clinical signs. The majority (61%) of the rabid dogs had bitten a human or another animals. In buffaloes and cows, anorexia, salivation and bellowing were most consistent features. Direct fluorescent antibody test (FAT) could detect rabies antigen in all the domestic and wild animals. FAT was closely followed by histopathological demonstration of Negri bodies. Rabid buffaloes could recognize their owners better (27%) than cows could (24%) while rabid dogs could recognize their owners the most (47%). The accumulated history records revealed that 78% of owned rabid dogs were not vaccinated prophylactically.