A new map that details the spread of rabies in the Middle East could help in the fight against the viral disease.
A new international study, published last night (26 March 2015) in PloS Neglected Tropical Diseases, has given new insights into the spread of the disease, revealing that it moves regularly between countries in the region.
The team of researchers, which includes scientists from the University of Surrey, UK, and the Animal and Plant Health Agency, have mapped the spread of rabies in the region to help inform control methods.
Surveillance in the regions where the disease is still prevalent is crucial to controlling the disease and to reducing the risk of re-introduction into rabies-free areas.
However, this surveillance is often inadequate because of low public awareness or lack of resources, said Dr Dan Horton from the University of Surrey’s School of Veterinary Medicine.
“This study has uncovered regular movement of disease across borders in the region, emphasising the need for countries to work together to control this neglected disease,” he said.
“We need to increase awareness of rabies in the local population, so that they can take appropriate health precautions such as seeking medical attention if they get bitten. It is also important to improve understanding of the spread of the disease among key decision makers, so effective control policies can be implemented in animal reservoirs.”
A key feature of the study is the application of modern analytic techniques that are used to identify disease pathways and inform targeted interventions to prevent spread.
PloS Neglected Tropical Diseases 26 March 2015
Leave a Reply