title: Aspects of rabies epidemiology in Tsumkwe District, Namibia.
abstract: Aspects of rabies epidemiology were investigated in the Tsumkwe District, Namibia, during December 1993 and January 1994. A cross-sectional seroepidemiological survey for rabies antibodies was carried out in domestic (n = 70) and wild dogs [Lycaon pictus (n = 6)]. An overall seroprevalence rate of 30% was found in domestic dogs, but it must be borne in mind that seroconversion can result from infections from either rabies or rabies-related viruses. Older dogs were more likely to be seropositive and there was spatial and temporal clustering of seropositivity. No wild dogs were found seropositive. A demographic survey of the domestic-dog population in the area showed that the total dog-population size was 132, or 0.027 dogs per km2. The dog population consisted mainly of young dogs with a median age of 1.5 years, and had a female bias of 0.63 males per female. Questionnaire surveys suggested that spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) and black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) were the most common larger carnivores found in and around villages, and that dogs were kept mainly for guarding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Molecular Sciences, University of Stirling, UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laurenson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Esterhuysen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stander
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Heerden
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002335:Carnivora; D003710:Demography; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D009276:Namibia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011818:Rabies / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies