Rabies transmitted by vampire bats to humans: an emerging zoonotic disease in Latin America?
Human rabies transmitted by vampire bats reached new heights in Latin America in 2005. A total of 55 human cases were reported in several outbreaks, 41 of them in the Amazon region of Brazil. Peru and Brazil had the highest number of reported cases from 1975 to 2006. In Peru, outbreaks involving more than 20 cases of bat-transmitted human rabies were reported during the 1980s and 1990s. During this period, a smaller number of cases were reported from outbreaks in Brazil. A comparison of data from field studies conducted in Brazil in 2005 with those from the previous decade suggests similar bat-bite situations at the local level. The objective of this study was to review the epidemiological situation and, on the basis of this information, discuss possible factors associated with the outbreaks. Prevention and control measures already recommended for dealing with this problem are also reviewed, and some further suggestions are provided.
Schneider
Maria Cristina
MC
Veterinary Public Health and Zoonoses, Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Washington, DC 20037-2895, United States of America. schneidc@paho.org
Romijn
Phyllis Catharina
PC
Uieda
Wilson
W
Tamayo
Hugo
H
da Silva
Daniela Fernandes
DF
Belotto
Albino
A
da Silva
Jarbas Barbosa
JB
Leanes
Luis Fernando
LF
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002685:Chiroptera; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America / Q000453:epidemiology; D011818:Rabies / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology*