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Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / Estimation of the incidence of animal rabies in Punjab, Indi...
PloS one2019; 14(9); e0222198; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222198

Estimation of the incidence of animal rabies in Punjab, India.

Abstract: Rabies is a devastating zoonotic disease of mammals that causes encephalitis and death. It is endemic in India, with an estimated annual 20,000 human deaths (one-third of the global rabies burden). The magnitude of animal rabies incidence is unknown. In four sub-districts of Punjab, India, we monitored canine and livestock populations from August 15, 2016 to August 14, 2017. Demographic, clinical and rabies diagnostic laboratory (RDL) data were collected from suspected cases of rabies. The annual incidence rate / 10,000 animal years at risk (95% CI) in each sub-district was estimated for each species. During 2016-2017, a total of 41 suspected rabies cases were detected in the four selected sub-districts in Punjab. Laboratory confirmed rabies (LCR) incidence was 2.03/10,000 dog years (0.69, 5.96) and 2.71/10,000 dog years (1.14, 6.43) in stray and pet dogs, respectively. The LCR incidence in farmed buffalo and cattle was 0.19/10,000 buffalo years (0.07, 0.57) and 0.23/10,000 cattle years (0.06, 0.88), respectively. The LCR incidence amongst equine was 4.28/10,000 equine years (0.48, 38.10). Stray cattle rabies incidence in the selected sub-districts was 9.49/10,000 cattle years (3.51, 25.67). If similar enhanced surveillance for rabies was conducted state-wide, we estimate that 98 (34-294) buffalo, 18 (2-156) equine, 56 (15-214) farmed cattle, 96 (35-259) stray cattle, 128 (54-303) pet dogs and 62 (21-182) stray dogs would be expected to be confirmed with rabies in Punjab annually. These results indicate that rabies incidence in animals, particularly in dogs and stray cattle, is much higher than previously suspected. We recommend that statewide enhanced disease surveillance should be conducted to obtain more accurate estimates of rabies incidence in Punjab to facilitate better control of this important disease.
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Publication Date: 2019-09-09 PubMed ID: 31498815PubMed Central: PMC6733466DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222198Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article is about estimating the incidence of rabies in animals, particularly in dogs and livestock, in Punjab, India, revealing that the spread of the disease is much higher than previously thought.

Research Methodology and Data Collection

  • This study was conducted from August 15, 2016, to August 14, 2017, in four sub-districts of Punjab, India. The animals under observation included both canine and livestock populations.
  • Demographic information, clinical records, and rabies diagnostic laboratory (RDL) data were collected from suspected cases of rabies in these animal groups.
  • The objective was to estimate the annual incidence rate of rabies for each species, calculated per 10,000 animal years at risk.

Findings and Incidence Rates

  • During the monitoring period, 41 suspected rabies cases were identified in the selected sub-districts.
  • Lab-confirmed rabies (LCR) incidence was found to be 2.03/10,000 dog years in stray dogs and 2.71/10,000 dog years in pet dogs.
  • The LCR incidence in livestock was relatively lower, with 0.19 cases per 10,000 buffalo years and 0.23 cases per 10,000 cattle years reported.
  • Interestingly, the LCR incidence amongst equine animals was significantly higher, recorded as 4.28 cases per 10,000 equine years.
  • The incidence rate was the highest among stray cattle, with 9.49 cases per 10,000 cattle years.

Projections and Recommendations

  • If similar surveillance was conducted across the entire state of Punjab, the researchers estimated an annual rabies incidence of averaged 98 buffalo, 18 equine animals, 56 farmed cattle, 96 stray cattle, 128 pet dogs, and 62 stray dogs.
  • The study indicates that the incidence of rabies, especially in dogs and stray cattle, is far higher than previously suspected.
  • The researchers advocate for enhanced disease surveillance to be implemented across the state, allowing more accurate estimates of rabies incidence. This could potentially enable more effective control measures against the disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Gill GS, Singh BB, Dhand NK, Aulakh RS, Sandhu BS, Ward MP, Brookes VJ. (2019). Estimation of the incidence of animal rabies in Punjab, India. PLoS One, 14(9), e0222198. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222198

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 9
Pages: e0222198

Researcher Affiliations

Gill, Gurlal S
  • Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
  • Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
Singh, Balbir B
  • Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia.
Dhand, Navneet K
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia.
Aulakh, Rabinder S
  • Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
Sandhu, Bhupinder S
  • Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
Ward, Michael P
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia.
Brookes, Victoria J
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia.
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Buffaloes
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / epidemiology
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology
  • Dogs
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Incidence
  • India / epidemiology
  • Livestock
  • Rabies / epidemiology
  • Rabies / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 14 times.
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