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. 2018 Aug 20;3(3):89.
doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed3030089.

Rabies in the Caribbean: A Situational Analysis and Historic Review

Janine F R Seetahal  1 , Alexandra Vokaty  2 , Marco A N Vigilato  3 , Christine V F Carrington  4 , Jennifer Pradel  5   6 , Bowen Louison  7 , Astrid Van Sauers  8 , Rohini Roopnarine  9 , Jusayma C González Arrebato  10 , Max F Millien  11 , Colin James  12 , Charles E Rupprecht  13
Affiliations

Rabies in the Caribbean: A Situational Analysis and Historic Review

Janine F R Seetahal et al. Trop Med Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Rabies virus is the only Lyssavirus species found in the Americas. In discussions about rabies, Latin America and the Caribbean are often grouped together. Our study aimed to independently analyse the rabies situation in the Caribbean and examine changes in rabies spatiotemporal epidemiology. A questionnaire was administered to the 33 member countries and territories of the Caribbean Animal Health Network (CaribVET) to collect current data, which was collated with a literature review. Rabies was endemic in ten Caribbean localities, with the dog, mongoose, and vampire bat identified as enzootic reservoirs. The majority of animal cases occurred in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti, while human cases only consistently occurred in the latter two areas. Rabies vaccination was conducted for high-risk animal populations with variable coverage, and rabies diagnostic capacities varied widely throughout the region. Illegal importation and natural migration of animals may facilitate the introduction of rabies virus variants into virus-naïve areas. Passive surveillance, together with enhanced methods and serological screening techniques, can therefore be of value. The insularity of the Caribbean makes it ideal for conducting pilot studies on reservoir host population management. Best practice guidelines developed for these reservoir hosts can be individually modified to the epidemiological status and available resources within each locality.

Keywords: Americas; CaribVET; Caribbean; Lyssavirus; bat rabies; canine rabies; mongoose rabies; vampire bat; zoonosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Main animal reservoirs for rabies virus and country endemic status in the Caribbean.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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