Epizootological monitoring of animal rabies in the Far Eastern Federal District

Abstract

Rabies is a viral disease affecting all mammalian species; it is caused by the rabies virus of the genus Lyssavirus (family Rhabdoviridae). It is a highly dangerous infection that leads to irreversible central nervous system damage and has a high fatality rate. Surveillance of animal rabies cases is essential for effective epidemiological monitoring and for preventing the spread of this zoonosis among animals and humans. The research goal was to monitor rabies incidence in animals in the Far Eastern Federal District from 2019 through 2024. Monitoring, epizootiological, and statistical methods were applied. The study analyzed state reports on sanitary and epidemiological welfare in the Russian Federation (2019-2024), annual reports on the epizootic situation regarding socially significant and highly dangerous animal diseases (2019-2024), and veterinary reporting (Form No. 1-vet) from regional state veterinary services of the Far Eastern Federal District. Conclusions: from 2019 through 2024, animal rabies cases were reported in the Jewish Autonomous Region, Amur Region, Republic of Buryatia, Trans-Baikal Region, and Khabarovsk Region. Altogether, 110 rabies-affected locations were identified. Wild animals accounted for the highest percentage of cases (46.2%). Rabies was confirmed in foxes (25.0%), dogs (23.0%), cattle (21.0%), wolves (11.1%), unspecified wild animals (4.5%), horses and raccoon dogs (3.8% each), cats (2.3%), and several other species (0.8% each). The findings highlight the persistent circulation of the rabies virus in both domestic and wild animal populations and underline the importance of continuous monitoring and coordinated veterinary and public health measures to control the disease.