Diversity of rabies virus detected in Inner Mongolia, China, 2019–2021

• DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14451
• Publication Date: 2022-01-10T05:39:48Z
• Authors: Ye Feng; Yuyang Wang; Hada; Deijide; Gaosuyilatu; Xin Li; Zemin Xu; Hasibagen; Amur Bulage; Linchuan Li; Sarula; Yu Guo; Jihong Ma; Zhanying Kou; Sheng Sun; Liang Zhang; Tingfang Liu; Weidi Xu; Huachao Feng; Zihan Zhao; Zhongzhong Tu; Yan Liu; Changchun Tu
• Keywords: Raccoon Dogs

Rabies is a serious public health issue in China, with over 95% of human infections transmitted by dogs. As part routine surveillance carried out the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (IMAR) between 2019 and 2021, 80 95 suspected rabies cases domestic animals (dogs, livestock) wild carnivores (foxes, badgers, raccoon dog) were confirmed as virus (RABV) positive. Phylogenetic analysis RABVs based on complete N genes showed that 97.5% (78/80) strains belonged to Cosmopolitan (steppe-type) clade, one each Arctic-related (AL2) Asian (SEA1) clades. The data show infected foxes have become major transmission source second only dogs, play pivotal role animal epizootics north northwest country. recent spread fox other species presents an increasing threat emphasizes importance surveillance.