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. 2024 Sep 26;91(1):e1-e10.
doi: 10.4102/ojvr.v91i1.2181.

Rabies in equids in Sudan

Yahia H Ali  1 , Tenzeil A G Mohieddeen, Muaz M Abdellatif, Baraa Mohammed Ahmed, Intisar K Saeed, Husham M Attaalfadeel, Amani A Ali
Affiliations

Rabies in equids in Sudan

Yahia H Ali et al. Onderstepoort J Vet Res. .

Abstract

Rabies is endemic in Sudan with continuing outbreaks occurring annually, the most common animals affected are dogs, followed by goats and equids. This work focused on equid rabies, to elucidate the current situation of the disease through analysis of reports of equid rabies outbreaks in Sudan during 2010-2022 supported by laboratory confirmation of the disease. During the study period, 66 animals were affected during 35 equid rabies outbreaks. The highest incidences were found in Al Gezira (30.3%), followed by Darfur (24.2%) and Kordofan (15.2%). The highest incidence rate was observed during 2018 (33.3%), followed by 2015 (16.7%). Within seasons, the highest incidence rate was reported during October - December (33.3%), followed by July - September (30.3%). Chi-square analysis revealed a significant correlation between rabid animals and year, season, and state. Wald statistics demonstrated that year and season had a significant association with the disease. Virus antigen was identified (72.2%) in brain tissues using the fluorescent antibody test. Viral nucleic acid was amplified (n = 6) with a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay.Contribution: As equids are kept in close contact with humans and other animals in the country, according to the present investigation, equid rabies in Sudan is a potential public health concern, emphasising the importance of implementing effective control measures.

Keywords: Sudan; equine; fluorescent antibody test; rabies; reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Map showing the geographic distribution of equid rabies outbreaks (n = 35) reported during 2010–2022 in Sudan.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Percentage of clinically suspected rabid animals according to year (a), season (b), state (c), death, vaccination and destruction by the veterinary authorities (d).
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Seasonality of equid rabies cases in Northern State (a), River Nile (b), El Gezira (c), Khartoum and Kassala (d), Kordofan (e) and Darfur (f) during 2010–2022.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Coverage of vaccination in response to the equid rabies outbreaks according to states investigated.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Percentage of positive equid rabies cases as confirmed by fluorescent antibody test among species (a), year (b), season (c) and location (d).
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Ethidium bromide-stained agarose gel, Lane M: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) ladder, Lane 1–3: donkey brain, Lane 4–6: horse brain, Lane 7: negative control. The product size is 586-bp.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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