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Sustainable Development Goals
02 Fome zero e agricultura sustentável03 Saúde e Bem-Estar
15 Vida terrestre
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THE SILENT THREAT: UNRAVELING THE IMPACT OF RABIES IN HERBIVORES IN BRAZIL
Simple Summary: Rabies, a deadly viral disease transmitted mainly through the saliva of infected animals like bats, dogs, and other wildlife, poses significant risks to both livestock and human health, particularly in Brazil. The virus predominantly spreads to herbivores, such as cattle, horses, and goats, through bites from vampire bats. Despite efforts to control the disease through vaccination programs, recent cases in Brazil highlight ongoing challenges. These include sporadic vaccination failures, the presence of vampire bats in some regions, and deforestation, which affects bat habitats and increases disease spread. The economic impact on Brazil’s livestock sector is considerable, resulting in losses in meat and milk production and posing public health risks. Effective management strategies involve not only maintaining robust vaccination schedules but also addressing environmental factors that facilitate rabies transmission. Increasing awareness and improving control measures are crucial to reducing the disease’s impact. By integrating vaccination efforts with habitat management and ongoing surveillance, Brazil can better protect its livestock and prevent the spread of rabies to humans, ensuring both animal welfare and public health.
Author
Affilliation
Federal Institute of Education of Piauí. Teresina, PI, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Plataforma de Nível de Biossegurança 3. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Federal Institute of Education of Piauí. Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Epidemiology. Teresina, PI, Brasil.
Federal Institute of Education of Piauí. Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Epidemiology. Teresina, PI, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Plataforma de Nível de Biossegurança 3. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Plataforma de Nível de Biossegurança 3. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Federal Institute of Education of Piauí. Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Epidemiology. Teresina, PI, Brasil.
Federal Institute of Education of Piauí. Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Epidemiology. Teresina, PI, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Plataforma de Nível de Biossegurança 3. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Abstract
Rabies, a zoonotic viral disease, poses a significant threat due to its adaptability to diverse environments. Herbivore rabies, predominantly affecting cattle, horses, and goats in Brazil, remains a concern, results in substantial losses in the livestock industry, and poses risks to public health. Rabies virus transmission, primarily through hematophagous bats in Latin America, underscores the need for effective strategies, and vaccination plays a crucial role in controlling herbivorous rabies, with systematic vaccination beingly the primary method. Efforts to control rabies in herbivores include vaccination campaigns, public awareness programs, and the enhancement of surveillance systems. Despite these initiatives, rabies persists and imposes an economic burden and a significant health risk. Economic impacts include losses in the livestock industry, trade restrictions on livestock products, and financial burdens on governments and farmers owing to control measures. Despite the considerable costs of campaigns, surveillance, and control, investing in rabies vaccination and control not only safeguards livestock, but also preserves public health, reduces human cases, and strengthens the sustainability of the livestock industry. Mitigating the impact of herbivorous rabies in Brazil requires integrated approaches and continuous investments in vaccination, surveillance, and control measures to protect public health and ensure the sustainability of the livestock industry, thus contributing to food and economic security.
Publisher
MDPI
Citation
VENTURA, Marcelo Cardoso da Silva et al. The silent threat: unraveling the impact of rabies in herbivores in Brazil. Animals, v. 14, n. 16, p. 1-8, 8 Aug. 2024.DOI
10.3390/ani14162305ISSN
2076-2615Notes
Produção científica do Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses.Simple Summary: Rabies, a deadly viral disease transmitted mainly through the saliva of infected animals like bats, dogs, and other wildlife, poses significant risks to both livestock and human health, particularly in Brazil. The virus predominantly spreads to herbivores, such as cattle, horses, and goats, through bites from vampire bats. Despite efforts to control the disease through vaccination programs, recent cases in Brazil highlight ongoing challenges. These include sporadic vaccination failures, the presence of vampire bats in some regions, and deforestation, which affects bat habitats and increases disease spread. The economic impact on Brazil’s livestock sector is considerable, resulting in losses in meat and milk production and posing public health risks. Effective management strategies involve not only maintaining robust vaccination schedules but also addressing environmental factors that facilitate rabies transmission. Increasing awareness and improving control measures are crucial to reducing the disease’s impact. By integrating vaccination efforts with habitat management and ongoing surveillance, Brazil can better protect its livestock and prevent the spread of rabies to humans, ensuring both animal welfare and public health.
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