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Review
. 2021 Jun 26:13:100285.
doi: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100285. eCollection 2021 Dec.

Incidence and seroprevalence of rabies virus in humans, dogs and other animal species in Africa, a systematic review and meta-analysis

Jocelyne Noel Sowe Wobessi  1   2 , Sebastien Kenmoe  1 , Gadji Mahamat  3 , Jean Thierry Ebogo Belobo  4 , Cynthia Paola Demeni Emoh  3 , Atembeh Noura Efietngab  4 , Sandrine Rachel Kingue Bebey  3 , Dimitri Tchami Ngongang  3 , Serges Tchatchouang  5 , Nathalie Diane Nzukui  6 , Abdou Fatawou Modiyinji  2   7 , Raïssa Estelle Guiamdjo Simo  3 , Aude Christelle Ka'e  8 , Hervé Raoul Tazokong  3 , Arnol Bowo Ngandji  3 , Donatien Serge Mbaga  3 , Cyprien Kengne-Nde  9 , Serge Alain Sadeuh-Mba  1 , Richard Njouom  1
Affiliations
Review

Incidence and seroprevalence of rabies virus in humans, dogs and other animal species in Africa, a systematic review and meta-analysis

Jocelyne Noel Sowe Wobessi et al. One Health. .

Abstract

Rabies is transmitted to humans mainly by dogs but also by other animal species. Reliable data on the incidence of Rabies virus (RABV) in humans, dogs, and other animal species in Africa, could be essential in the implementation of a global strategic plan to eliminate the RABV by 2030 as adopted by the WHO, OIE, and FAO. We searched the Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, African Journal Online, and African Index Medicus databases for relevant studies that report data on the incidence of RABV in Africa up to February 17, 2020. Information on active and past RABV exposures in various categories of dogs, humans and other animal species were extracted. Incidence and seroprevalence estimates were pooled using a random-effect meta-analysis. We included 73 articles which provided 142 RABV incidence and seroprevalence records in 21 African countries. The estimated incidence of RABV in 222 humans, 15,600 dogs, and 12,865 other animal species was 83.4% (95% CI = 64.6-96.5), 44.1% (95% CI = 35.1-53.4), and 41.4% (95% CI = 29.6-53.8), respectively. The estimated seroprevalence of RABV in 420 humans, 3577 dogs, and 8,55 other animal species was 33.8% (95% CI = 21.9-46.8), 19.8% (95% CI = 13.3-27.3), and 3.6% (95% CI = 0.3-9.2), respectively. The incidence of RABV in general was higher in suspected rabid dogs, other animal species of the Orders Perissodactyla, Artiodactyla and Carnivora. The incidence of RABV was higher for humans in regions of West and East Africa, for dogs in urban areas and in regions of Central and South Africa, and for animals of the order Perissodactyla in urban areas. This meta-analysis demonstrated a high incidence of RABV in Africa. Itis necessary to improve surveillance system to provide reliable data on RABV in Africa, essential for the implementation of an effective control strategy.

Keywords: Africa; Incidence; One health; Rabies virus.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study selection flowchart.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Rabies virus incidence in humans, dogs, and other animal species in Africa, 1966–2019.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Incidence of Rabies virus infections in humans in Africa.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Incidence of Rabies virus infections in dogs population in Africa.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Incidence of Rabies virus infections in other animal species in Africa.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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