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Author: Boro, Prasanta Kumar × Start date: 2016 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Epidemiology of rabies in Assam
    (College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara Campus, 2022-09) Boro, Prasanta Kumar; Dutta, Jyoti B
    In an epidemiological study on rabies in 11 districts in Assam, 65 post-mortem brain samples belonging to nine species were collected by foramen magnum approach from clinically suspected domestic and wild animals and tested at the WOAH Reference Laboratory for Rabies, Hebbal, Bengaluru – 560 024, Karnataka. Simultaneously, a questionnaire survey on the community was undertaken to evaluate the epidemiological determinants on rabies transmission. Forty two (64.61 %) samples tested positive by LFA and DFA. Of the nine species, five species i.e. cattle 27 (41.53%), dog 9 (13.85%), goat 4 (6.15%), pig 1(1.53%) and pony 1(1.53%) were confirmed for rabies. Aggression in 41 (97.62%) cases was the most common signs exhibited by the affected animals before death with only one positive case (2.38%) showing paralytic signs. There was no dog bite history in 33 (78.57%) cases while 9 (21.43%) cases had. Most of the livestock were free ranging and grazed nearby protected areas where presences of wild carnivores were evident. Seasonal distribution revealed similar numbers of cases (45.24%) during rainy and flood season (July-September) and post-harvesting (December-February) winter season. Gender-wise, 20 (47.62%) positive cases of cattle and goats were either pregnant or recently calved. Prevalence of rabies was found to be highest (64.29%) in the animals more than 3 years of age, followed by the animals between 1 to 3 years (23.81%) and below one year of age (11.90%). In rural areas distribution of rabies was highest (52.31%), semi-urban (9.32%) and urban (3.08%). Distribution maps of rabies in different parts of Assam were generated based on the GPS locations of the positive cases and heat map revealed a high risk zone in the Golaghat district. The areas adjoining the tea gardens had higher rabies cases (23, 54.76%). The questionnaire survey revealed a very low level of community awareness regarding rabies and its transmission. Lack of proper information from the field staff, immediate collection of samples from field and transportation of samples to the laboratory maintaining cold chain were the major constraints found during the study.