What would be the impact on the rabies risk of reducing the waiting period before dogs are imported? A modelling study based on the European Union legislation.
Zoonoses Public Health
; 71(4): 402-415, 2024 Jun.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38317287
ABSTRACT
AIMS:
Lyssavirus rabies (RABV) is responsible for a major zoonotic infection that is almost always lethal once clinical signs appear. Rabies can be (re)introduced into rabies-free areas through transboundary dog movements, thus compromising animal and human health. A number of measures have been implemented to prevent this happening, one of which is the waiting period (WP) after anti-rabies vaccination and serological testing. This WP ensures that antibodies assessed through the serological test are due to the vaccine, not to infection. Indeed, if antibodies are due to RABV infection, the dog should display clinical signs within this WP and would not therefore be imported. METHODS ANDRESULTS:
Within a framework of quantitative risk assessment, we used modelling approaches to evaluate the impact of this WP and its duration on the risk of introducing rabies via the importation of dogs into the European Union. Two types of models were used, a classical stochastic scenario tree model and an individual-based model, both parameterised using scientific literature or data specifically applicable to the EU. Results showed that, assuming perfect compliance, the current 3-month waiting period was associated with a median annual number of 0.04 infected dogs imported into the EU. When the WP was reduced, the risk increased. For example, for a 1-month WP, the median annual number of infected dogs imported was 0.17 or 0.15 depending on the model, which corresponds to a four-fold increase.CONCLUSION:
This in silico study, particularly suitable for evaluating rare events such as rabies infections in rabies-free areas, provided results that can directly inform policymakers in order to adapt regulations linked to rabies and animal movements.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Contexto en salud:
3_ND
Problema de salud:
3_neglected_diseases
/
3_zoonosis
Asunto principal:
Rabia
/
Vacunas Antirrábicas
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Enfermedades de los Perros
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Unión Europea
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Animals
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Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Zoonoses Public Health
Asunto de la revista:
MEDICINA VETERINARIA
/
SAUDE PUBLICA
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Francia