Background and Goals
Rabies is an endemic and high-priority zoonotic disease in Nepal, causing approximately 100 human deaths and 200 animal deaths annually. Despite its public health importance, the spatiotemporal epidemiology and genetic diversity of the rabies virus (RABV) in Nepal remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize the distribution, host species, and molecular diversity of rabies virus in Nepal, providing insights for better surveillance, control, and prevention strategies. (Pant, 2014).
Materials and Methods
Epidemiological data from 2008 to 2012 were collected across 75 districts of Nepal. Clinical samples were collected from 186 animals, including 128 dogs, 15 goats, 14 cattle, 11 buffaloes, 4 cats, 3 rats, 2 pigs, 2 mongooses, 2 bats, 1 alpaca, and 1 rabbit. All samples were tested using Rapid Antigen Detection Test (RADT) followed by Fluorescent Antibody Test (FAT).
In addition, 24 rabies virus samples collected between 2003 and 2011 were sequenced at the Institut Pasteur and the Australian Animal Health Laboratory. Both nucleoprotein and glycoprotein genes were sequenced in full length. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using neighbor-joining and maximum-likelihood methods, comparing Nepalese isolates with representative viruses worldwide.
Results
- Outbreaks and Mortality: Between 2008 and 2012, 238 rabies outbreaks were reported, causing 401 animal deaths. Species distribution of fatalities included dogs (35.16%), cattle (33.1%), buffaloes (21.95%), goats (7.23%), and pigs (2.4%).
- Geographical Distribution: Rabies outbreaks were reported in 44 districts throughout the year, indicating year-round prevalence.
- Laboratory Testing: Test-positive rates among species were: dogs (61.7%), goats (80%), cattle (71.4%), buffaloes (54.5%), mongooses (50%), and alpaca (100%).
- Molecular Analysis: Among the 24 sequenced samples, 5 belonged to the Indian Subcontinent clade, and 19 belonged to Arctic-like rabies clades (AL-1 and AL-3 sub-clades). This reveals wide genetic diversity, with the co-existence of three distinct phylogenetic groups in Nepal.
Conclusion
The study identified the presence of the Indian Subcontinent clade and two Arctic-like sub-clades (AL-1 and AL-3) of the rabies virus in Nepal, highlighting significant genetic diversity. Rabies remains a year-round threat in multiple districts, affecting domestic animals and livestock. These findings emphasize the importance of molecular surveillance, mass dog vaccination, and integrated One Health strategies to control rabies in Nepal. (Pant, 2014)
Keywords
Rabies, Epidemiology, Nepal, Molecular phylogeny, Dogs, Livestock
References
Pant, G. R. (2014). Molecular epidemiology of rabies virus in Nepal. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 21, 195
World Health Organization. (2021). Rabies fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies
Copyright
Pant, G.R. (2014). This article is an open-access publication distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided proper credit is given to the original author(s) and source. You can view the original case study here: https://www.ijidonline.com/article/S1201-9712%2814%2900887-X/fulltext
Disclaimer
This lesson paraphrases and adapts content from the original research by Pant (2014). All rights to the original publication remain with the author and journal. This material is intended solely for educational and teaching purposes. Any commercial use or reproduction of the original work without permission is prohibited.
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