Diagnóstico situacional do vírus da raiva em áreas rurais e urbanas no estado do Mato Grosso

Abstract

Diagnosis of human and animal rabies virus is crucial to prevent outbreaks and the worsening of a potentially fatal manifestation of the infection. Early diagnosis of rabies helps detect infections at an early stage, allowing timely treatment with the use of vaccines, rabies immunoglobulin, and sanitation of disease foci in herds and freeranging animals. Studying the virus spread and identifying foci and peripheral areas is a way to ensure the correct tracing of infection sources and the establishment of effective prophylactic measures in controlling the disease spread. Information obtained from the analysis of suspected samples sent to the Laboratorio de Apoio a Saude Animal (LASA) in Cuiaba, state of Mato Grosso, indicated that during the years 2021 and 2022, 529 animal samples examined for rabies. In 2021, 61 out of 228 samples tested positive: 90% in cattle, 8.4% in horses, and 1.6% in mules. There were no positive cases in canines. In 2022, out of 301 samples, 54 were positive: 81.4% in cattle, 14.8% in horses, 1.8% in canines, and 1.8% in insectivorous bats. In total, 114 positive rabies cases confirmed, with cattle representing the majority. The most affected municipalities in 2021 were Alto Araguaia, Cuiabá, and Jauru, and in 2022, they included Barra do Bugres, Barra do Garças, Chapada dos Guimarães, among others. The majority of positive diagnoses by the Direct Immunofluorescence (IFD) technique. In agreement with other studies conducted in the state of Mato Grosso, the occurrence of localized foci also evidenced due to the Mato Grosso's geographical characteristics. Moreover, there is a need for further investigation and scientific research involving other species involved in transmission since only 1 out of the 82 evaluated insectivorous bats tested positive. Therefore, this study evaluated the situational diagnosis of rabies virus in different regions in the state of Mato Grosso.