Rabies in livestock in the United States (2012-2021).

The research explores the impact and occurrence of rabies in livestock within the United States from 2012 to 2021, explaining the economic effects of rabies outbreaks in livestock and assessing the geographical and livestock distribution of the disease. The study recommends considering regional risk, the value of the animal and potential human exposure when making vaccination decisions.

Background

• This study focuses on answering critical questions concerning the occurrence and impact of rabies in livestock within the US between 2012 to 2021.
• The main areas of focus include understanding the epidemiology of rabies in livestock, which strengthens the larger One Health goals that aim to enhance early detection of viral intrusions and protect both human and animal health.
• One Health is a collaborative, multidisciplinary effort working at local, national, and global levels to achieve optimal health for people, animals, and our environment.

Research Method

• Researchers used surveillance data reported to the National Rabies Surveillance System.
• Economic losses were established through a sensitivity analysis, which took into account both the value of the affected livestock and human postexposure prophylaxis (a treatment given to humans after exposure to the rabies virus).

Findings

• During the study period, 947 cases of rabid livestock were reported. The majority (65.9%) of these were cattle.
• Skunk rabies virus variants were the most frequent variants detected, accounting for 53.5% of the cases.
• Over half of all rabid livestock were reported in five states: Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Virginia, and North Carolina.
• The northeastern US had higher infection rates after adjusting for the livestock population in the region.
• Economic losses during the study period totaled an estimated $18.6 million, ranging between $9.8 to $39.6 million. This range considers differing detection rates from 100% (lower bound) to 66% detection (upper bound).

Conclusion

• The study concludes that rabid livestock are routinely found in the US, with the highest number in Texas and Virginia.
• Economic losses due to rabid livestock are substantial, with the main contributing factor being costs for postexposure prophylaxis.
• The study recommends livestock vaccination while considering regional risk, the value of the animal, and potential human exposure.

Related Research

• A companion study (“Currents in One Health by Nathan et al, JAVMA, forthcoming 2025”) further explores patterns of rabies vaccine failures in domestic animals, which may provide insightful data for improving vaccination programs.