NASSIM, S., Nor El Houda, B., Ali, S., Hossein, B. (2025). Canine Rabies Outbreak and its Public Health Implications in Ksour Municipality, Northeastern Algeria: A Case Study. Journal of Applied Veterinary Sciences, 10(1), 74-80. doi: 10.21608/javs.2024.334925.1463
SID NASSIM; Belalmi Nor El Houda; Shamekh Ali; Bannazadeh Baghi Hossein. "Canine Rabies Outbreak and its Public Health Implications in Ksour Municipality, Northeastern Algeria: A Case Study". Journal of Applied Veterinary Sciences, 10, 1, 2025, 74-80. doi: 10.21608/javs.2024.334925.1463
NASSIM, S., Nor El Houda, B., Ali, S., Hossein, B. (2025). 'Canine Rabies Outbreak and its Public Health Implications in Ksour Municipality, Northeastern Algeria: A Case Study', Journal of Applied Veterinary Sciences, 10(1), pp. 74-80. doi: 10.21608/javs.2024.334925.1463
NASSIM, S., Nor El Houda, B., Ali, S., Hossein, B. Canine Rabies Outbreak and its Public Health Implications in Ksour Municipality, Northeastern Algeria: A Case Study. Journal of Applied Veterinary Sciences, 2025; 10(1): 74-80. doi: 10.21608/javs.2024.334925.1463
Canine Rabies Outbreak and its Public Health Implications in Ksour Municipality, Northeastern Algeria: A Case Study
1Laboratory of Health and Environment. University Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi of Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Algeria; Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences and Earth and the Universe, University Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi of Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Algeria ; Directorate of Agricultural Services, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Algeria
2Laboratory of Health and Environment. University Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi of Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Algeria; Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences and Earth and the Universe, University Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi of Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Algeria
3Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran ; Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
4Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran ; Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran ; Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Receive Date: 09 November 2024,
Revise Date: 11 December 2024,
Accept Date: 16 December 2024
Abstract
Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease typically transmitted through animal bites. It affects all mammals, domestic and wild, as well as humans. The primary cause of the disease is the multiplication of a neurotropic rhabdovirus in the central nervous system, which almost always leads to fatal encephalomyelitis. This study aimed to describe a canine rabies outbreak in Ksour Municipality, province of Bordj Bou Arreridj (Algeria), and its impact on public health. The epidemiological investigation revealed that a stray local dog breed had bitten multiple people and domestic animals. Seven people, 5-76 years old, were bitten. However, children under 15 years old accounted for 28.57% of the cases. Males were the most commonly bitten (85.71%). All victims sustained severe category III injuries, predominantly located on the upper extremities (85.71%). Seven domestic animals were bitten, including six dogs and one donkey. The direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT) and the mouse inoculation test (MIT) were both positive when applied and tested. The injured people received post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with rabies immunoglobulin and vaccination. Rabies remains endemic in the study area, with stray dogs acting as the primary transmission vectors through bites. A multidisciplinary approach involving collaboration among the national veterinary authority, human health services, political authorities, and local communities has been proven effective in rabies control.
AKLILU, M., TADELE, W., ALEMU, A., ABDELA, S., GETAHUN, G., HAILEMARIAM, A., TADESSE, Y, KITILA, G., BIRHANU, E., FLI, I., GETACHEW, A., and MULUGETA, Y., 2021. Situation of Rabies in Ethiopia: A Five-Year Retrospective Study of Human Rabies in Addis Ababa and the Surrounding Regions. Journal of tropical medicine, 2021:6662073. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6662073
BAGHI, H.B., BAZMANI, A., and AGHAZADEH, M.,2016. The fight against rabies: the Middle East needs to step up its game. Lancet, 388(10054):1880. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31729-9
BANNAZADEH BAGHI, H., ALINEZHAD, F., KUZMIN, I., and RUPPRECHT, C.E., 2018. A perspective on rabies in the Middle East—Beyond Neglect. Veterinary sciences, 5(3):67. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci5030067
BANNAZADEH BAGHI, H., and RUPPRECHT, C.E., 2021. Notes on three periods of rabies focus in the Middle East: From progress during the cradle of civilization to neglected current history. Zoonoses and Public Health, 68(7): 697-703. https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.12781
BARECHA, C.B., GIRZAW, F. KANDI, V., and PAL, M., 2017. Epidemiology and public health significance of rabies. Perspectives in Medical Research, 5(1): 55-67. https://pimr.org.in/Barecha-new.PDF
BENELMOUFFOK, A.,2004. Épidémiologie de la rage en Algérie. Bulletin de l'Académie vétérinaire de France, 157(2): 61-66. https://doi.org/10.4267/2042/47703
CHEN, L.H., GAUTRET P., and VISSER, L.G., 2018. Rabies Preexposure Prophylaxis: Application of Updated World Health Organization Position to Travelers. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 67(12):1948-1950. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciy422
DIRECTORATE OF AGRICULTURAL SERVICES (DSA), 2024. Collection of statistical data for the province of Bordj Bou Arreridj for the year 2023.
GAO, L.D., ZHANG, H., CAI, L., CHEN, B.Z., JIANG, Y.L., LIU, Y.Z., LV, X.J., YU, P.C., HU, S.X., LIU, F.Q., LI, H., LI, G.Y., SHEN, X.X., TAO, X.Y., ZHANG, S.Y., LIU, J.H., TANG, Q., and LI, J.H., 2014. Epidemic of rabies and effect of its vaccine against a dog that consecutively attacked ten people in one day. Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, 27(1):60-4. https://doi.org/10.3967/bes2014.017
HAMPSON, K., COUDEVILLE, L., LEMBO, T., SAMBO, M., KIEFFER, A., ATTLAN, M., BARRAT, J., BLANTON, J.D., BRIGGS, D.J., CLEAVELAND, S., COSTA, P., FREULING, C.M., HIBY, E., KNOPF, L., LEANES, F., MESLIN, F.X., METLIN, A., MIRANDA, M.E., MÜLLER, T., NEL LH., RECUENCO, S., RUPPRECHT, C.E., SCHUMACHER, C., TAYLOR, L., VIGILATO, M.A., ZINSSTAG, J., and DUSHOFF, J., 2015. Global Alliance for Rabies Control Partners for Rabies Prevention. Estimating the global burden of endemic canine rabies. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 9(4):e0003709. 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003709
HIKUFE, E.H., FREULING, C.M., ATHINGO, R., SHILONGO, A., NDEVAETELA, E.E., HELAO, M., SHIINDI, M., HASSEL, R., BISHI, A., KHAISEB, S., KABAJANI, J., VAN DER WESTHUIZEN, J., TORRES, G., BRITTON, A., LETSHWENYO, M., SCHWABENBAUER, K., METTENLEITER, T.C., DENZIN, N., AMLER, S., CONRATHS, F.J., MÜLLER, T., and MASEKE, A.,2019. Ecology and epidemiology of rabies in humans, domestic animals and wildlife in Namibia, 2011-2017. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 13(4):e0007355. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0007355
KARDJADJ, M., 2016. Epidemiology of human and animal rabies in Algeria. Journal of Dairy, Veterinary & Animal Research, 4(1):244-247. https://doi.org/10.15406/jdvar.2016.04.00109
KARDJADJ, M., and BEN-MAHDI, M.H., 2019. Epidemiology of dog-mediated zoonotic diseases in Algeria: a One Health control approach. New Microbes and New Infections, 28:17-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nmni.2019.01.001
LANKESTER, F., HAMPSON, K., LEMBO, T., PALMER, G., TAYLOR, L., and CLEAVELAND, S.,2014. Infectious Disease. Implementing Pasteur's vision for rabies elimination. Science, 345(6204):1562-4. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1256306
MASSEI, G., and MILLER, L.A.,2013. Nonsurgical fertility control for managing free-roaming dog populations: a review of products and criteria for field applications. Theriogenology, 80(8):829-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.07.016
PAL, M., REBUMA, T., REGASSA, M., GUTEMA, C., and MAZZEO, A.,2024. Endemic Rabies in Ethiopia in the One Health Era. American Journal of Public Health, 12(2): 22-32. https://doi.org/10.12691/ajphr-12-2-2
RASIZADEH, R., and BANNAZADEH BAGHI, H., 2023. Increase in rabies cases during COVID-19 pandemic: Is there a connection ?. The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, 17(3):335-336. https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.17537
RUPPRECHT, C.E., BANNAZADEH BAGHI, H., DEL RIO VILAS, V.J., GIBSON, A.D., LOHR, F, MESLIN, F.X., SEETAHAL, J.F.R., SHERVELL, K., and GAMBLE, L.,2018a. Historical, current and expected future occurrence of rabies in enzootic regions. Revue Scientifique et Technique, 37(2):729-739. https://doi.org/10.20506/rst.37.2.2836
RUPPRECHT, C.E., BANNAZADEH BAGHI, H., DEL RIO VILAS, V.J., GIBSON, A.D., LOHR, F., MESLIN, F.X., SEETAHAL, J.F.R., SHERVELL, K., and GAMBLE, L.,2018b. Global rabies management: perspectives on regional strategies for prevention and control. Revue Scientifique et Technique, 37(2):711-727. https://doi.org/10.20506/rst.37.2.2835
SHAMSADDINI, S., AHMADI GOHARI, M., KAMYABI, H., NASIBI, S., DERAKHSHANI, A., MOHAMMADI, M.A., MOUSAVI, S.M., BANESHI, M.R., HIBY, E., and HARANDI, M.F., 2022. Dynamic modeling of female neutering interventions for free-roaming dog population management in an urban setting of southeastern Iran. Scientific reports, 12(1):4781. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08697-w
WEI, Y., LI, D., YANG, Z., CHEN, K., PAN, X., XU, J., and CHEN, S., 2023. One Health responses to prevent the occurrence of rabies due to attacks by a rabid stray dog. Veterinary Medicine and Science, 9(2):618-624. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.986
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, 2024. Rabies. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies. Accessed 20 June 2024.
YAHIAOUI, F., KARDJADJ, M., LAIDOUDI, Y., MEDKOUR, H., and BEN-MAHDI, M.H., 2018. The epidemiology of dog rabies in Algeria: Retrospective national study of dog rabies cases, determination of vaccination coverage and immune response evaluation of three commercial used vaccines. Preventive veterinary medicine, 158:65-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.07.011
View on SCiNiTO
Top