An epidemic of sylvatic rabies in Finland--descriptive epidemiology and results of oral vaccination.

When rabies reappeared in Finland in April 1988, the country had been rabies free since 1959. Soon a picture of sylvatic rabies become evident, its main vector and victim being the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides). Between 8 April 1988 and 16 February 1989, 66 virologically verified cases were recorded (48 raccoon dogs, 12 red foxes, 2 badgers, 2 cats, 1 dog and 1 dairy bull) in an area estimated at 1700 km2 in south-eastern Finland. The greatest distance between recorded cases was 67 km. A positive reaction with monoclonal antibody p-41 indicated that the virus was an arctic-type strain. A field trial on oral immunization of small predators was initiated in September 1988 using Tübingen fox baits according to the Bavarian model of bait distribution. Each bait contained 5*10(7) TCID50/ml modified live rabies virus (SAD-B19). The 6 months' surveillance indicate a seroconversion rate of 72% (N = 126) in the raccoon dog population, 67% (N = 56) in the red foxes and 13% (N = 16) in the badgers, when titers greater than or equal to 1.0 IU/ml are considered seropositive. In the whole follow-up period, no statistically significant difference could be detected between the raccoon dogs and red foxes in the rate of seroconversion or in the uptake of tetracycline from the baits. Notably high antibody levels were recorded in both raccoon dogs and red foxes within 4-5 months after vaccination. Of the seropositive animals, the proportion of animals with titers 3.0 IU/ml or greater was higher in raccoon dogs (73%) than in red foxes (51%) (x2 = 5.29, p less than 0.05). The trial shows that raccoon dogs can be immunized against rabies in the field with vaccine baits originally developed for controlling sylvatic rabies in foxes.     

Oral vaccination of foxes against rabies in Turkey between 2008 and 2010

Following a sustained spill-over event from dogs to foxes, fox rabies spread rapidly in the Aegean region, Turkey. In order to control the outbreak a program of oral vaccination of foxes against rabies was introduced. In the selected vaccination area three annual campaigns between 2008 and 2010 were undertaken during the winter months whereby the vaccine baits were distributed exclusively by plane using a density of 18 baits per km2. Subsequently, fox rabies cases were reported only from locations bordering the non-vaccinated areas. Hence, it was shown that fox rabies control by means of oral rabies vaccination is feasible in Turkey. However, for the progress towards the elimination of fox-mediated rabies in Turkey to be maintained, it is necessary that political and financial support is secured to extend oral vaccination where infected foxes remain.     

First field trial of fox vaccination against rabies using a vaccinia-rabies recombinant virus

A field trial of fox vaccination against rabies using a vaccinia-rabies recombinant virus was carried out in Belgium on October 24, 1987. Each vaccine capsule contained a suspension of 10(8) TCID50 of the recombinant virus and was introduced into a chicken head. Each chicken head contained 150 mg of tetracycline as a marker of uptake. Two hundred and fifty heads were distributed in an area of 6 km2 situated within a military zone. The bait uptake was monitored for 15 days after the distribution. Sixty-three per cent of the chicken heads were taken by wild animals within that period. The trial was controlled according to the rules defined by the World Health Organisation.     

The economic implications of sylvatic rabies eradication in Italy

After more than 10 years of absence, sylvatic rabies re‐appeared in Italy in 2008. To prevent disease spread, three oral rabies vaccination (ORV) campaigns targeting red foxes were performed through manual distribution of vaccine baits between January and September 2009. As these campaigns proved unsuccessful, at the end of December 2009, baits started being distributed using helicopters, allowing uniform coverage of larger areas in a shorter time period. From winter 2009 to autumn 2016, a total of 15 ORV campaigns (four emergency, four regular and seven preventive ORV) were implemented through aerial distribution of baits. In this study, we assessed the costs of the aerial ORV campaigns, which were aimed at eradicating the disease and reobtaining the rabies‐free status. Cumulative costs per km² were estimated at €59.45 during emergency campaigns and ranged between €51.94 and €65.67 in the regular vaccinations. The main portion of costs for ORV programmes were related to baits supply and distribution: €49.24 (82.83%) in emergency campaigns and from €40.33 to € 43.35 in regular ORVs (71.97% and 66.02%, respectively). At the end of each ORV campaign, the efficacy of vaccination activities was estimated by assessing the proportion of foxes testing positive for tetracycline biomarker in jawbone, indicating bait intake. Results revealed that the proportion of foxes that ingested baits varied between 70.97% and 95.51%. Statistical analysis indicated that reducing the density of dropped baits could potentially lead to a cost‐saving of 22.81%, still maintaining a satisfactory level of bait intake by the fox population.     

河南省南阳地区黄牛狂犬病防制研究

由河南省南阳地区患“怪叫病”黄牛脑组织分离鉴定了5株狂犬病病毒,建立了检测狂犬病病毒抗原的夹心间接斑点酶联免疫吸附试验、检测狂犬病病毒抗体和中和抗体的夹心阻断酶联免疫吸附试验和微量免疫酶试验.应用所建立的方法,结合小鼠中和试验,对疫区牛、马、猪、羊、犬、猫、鸡、鼠和蝙蝠9种动物的1138份血清标本进行了检测,结果发现阳性率达12.65%,其中疫点内牛、猪、犬、猫和鼠的阳性率更高,为20%左右.根据动物群中较高阳性率,亦即隐性感染动物的存在,提出了南阳地区黄牛狂大病除因疯犬或带毒犬咬伤所致者外,可能还有因其他动物如鼠等咬伤甚至非咬伤感染途径的存在.在确定病性以及上述流行病学调查的基础上,实施了以管(制)、免(疫)、灭(扑杀)为中心的综合防制措施,经3年的工作,收到了明显的防制效果.     

Rabies-free status of Switzerland following 30 years of rabies in foxes

The European fox rabies epizootic starting in 1939 at the eastern border of Poland reached Switzerland on March 3, 1967. Rabies spread over large parts of the country until 1977, the year it caused three human deaths. In 1978 the first field trial world-wide for the oral immunization of foxes against rabies was conducted in Switzerland. Initially, the expansion of the vaccination area led to a rapid reduction in rabies cases. However, the 1990s were characterized by a recrudescence of rabies in spite of regular oral immunization of foxes. The last endemic case of rabies was diagnosed in 1996 after an adaptation of the vaccination strategy. A total of 17,109 rabies cases, of which 73% in foxes and 14% in domestic animals were diagnosed, leading to an estimated number of some 25,000 postexposure treatments in humans. To eliminate rabies, a total of 2.8 million baits containing a modified live virus were distributed--mostly by hand--in the field.     

Oral vaccination against rabies and the behavioural ecology of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes)

As a result of oral vaccination of foxes (Vulpes vulpes) against rabies, this virus disease has almost been completely eradicated from West- and Central Europe. In most countries, vaccine baits were distributed twice a year: during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October). This strategy has shown to be able to control and eventually eradicate rabies. However, it remains to be clarified if this is the most cost-effective strategy. Astonishingly, the behavioural ecology of the target species, the red fox, did receive only limited attention selecting the periods when baits should be distributed. Considering the behavioural ecology and rabies epidemiology of foxes, territory owners seem to play a key role in the spread and maintenance of rabies. Thus, oral vaccination campaigns should be targeted primarily at these animals. It is suggested that the optimal timing for bait distribution in Europe is late autumn (November) or early winter (December), depending on the prevailing climatic conditions. Additional campaigns, when financially feasible, can be implemented in order to maintain a high vaccination coverage during the remaining year. Furthermore, different baiting strategies can be selected in case of re-infection or persistent residual foci.     

First Report on the Efficiency of Oral Vaccination of Foxes against Rabies in Serbia

Rabies is one of the oldest known zoonotic diseases that has significant impact on public health, but still remains neglected in Serbia. Rabies virus can infect humans and other mammals and causes inflammation of the brain associated with encephalomyelitis and neurological symptoms. In 2010, Veterinary Directorate (national Competent Authority for animal health in Serbia) has started multi‐annual project of oral rabies vaccination of foxes and other wild carnivores (e.g. jackals), as support of long‐term programme of eradication of rabies in Serbia, co‐funded by EU (financed by Instrument for Pre‐Accession Assistance). Monitoring of the effectiveness of oral vaccination campaigns has been carried out in continuation from 2011 and was based on: (i) post‐mortem laboratory examination of brain tissue of target animals (foxes, jackals and other carnivores) by fluorescent antibody test (FAT), (ii) detection of antibodies against rabies virus in serum samples by ELISA and (iii) detection of tetracycline biomarker in the mandibles for the evaluation of vaccine bait uptake. From September 2011 to May 2014, the total number of 4943 brain tissue samples, 4241 sera and 4971 mandibles were analysed. Confirmed rabies‐positive brains decreased from 10 in 2011/2012 to 6 in 2012/2013 and eventually to 1 positive case in 2013/2014. The seroconversion rate increased from 10.48% (133/1269) in 2011/2012 to 20.11% (362/1800) in 2012/2013 and 42.23% (495/1172) in 2013/2014. Along with the seroconversion, the number of detected tetracycline‐positive mandibles demonstrated an increasing tendency in the same period, being 49.67% (682/1373) in 2011/2012, 62.60% (1294/2067) in 2012/2013 and 90.33% (1383/1531) in the monitoring programme carried out in 2013/2014. Presented results confirmed that ORV of foxes and other wildlife in Serbia against rabies was successful and characterized by steady increase of vaccine baits uptake and immunization of animals.     

Rabies oral vaccination of foxes during the summer with the VRG vaccine bait

The vaccination of foxes by distributing vaccine baits in the environment was initiated in France in 1986. Two campaigns per year were carried out: one in the spring and one in the autumn. After the spring campaigns, only 22-52% of fox cubs consumed vaccine baits compared to 75% of the adults and 70-80% of the adults or fox cubs after autumn campaigns. In order to reduce the period of time during which fox cubs do not have access to baits and are not immunised, a vaccination campaign was organised during the summer of 1992 over a contaminated area of 25,748 km2 where vaccines had never previously been given. Vaccine bait stability was assessed during the same summer in the field and their appetence tested on captive foxes. The efficacy of the campaign was evaluated by the relative decrease in rabies incidence and the rate of bait uptake by foxes compared to those from neighbouring areas vaccinated for the first time with the same vaccine during the spring or autumn. Summer vaccination significantly increased (P < 0.01) bait uptake by fox cubs (71%) compared with spring vaccination (39%), but no significant difference was observed for adult foxes. Moreover, the decrease in rabies incidence, measured during the 6-month period following the campaigns was less pronounced after summer vaccination (49% decrease) than when the first vaccination was carried out during the spring or autumn (79 and 72% decrease, respectively). Three campaigns led to an apparent elimination of rabies when the first campaign was performed in the spring or autumn, but only to a 76% decrease in rabies incidence density index when the first campaign was performed during the summer. The high thermostability of the Raboral VRG bait permits its use during the summer for an emergency campaign. For routine vaccination plans, however, the classical calendar of spring and autumn vaccination campaigns should continue to be preferred.     

Safety and immunogenicity of ERA strain of rabies virus propagated in a BHK-21 cell line.

The ERA strain of rabies virus was propagated in a baby hamster kidney cell line (BHK-21/C13). The viral titer was 10(1.8) tissue culture infective doses (TCID) higher than that of commercial ERA vaccine. The ERA/BHK-21 vaccine in baits retained titers of 10(6.3) to 10(6.4), TCID when subjected to daily temperature fluctuations from 9 degrees C to 24 degrees C for 21 days. This titer, according to a dose response in laboratory foxes, was still capable of immunizing up to 100% of foxes consuming a bait. The ERA/BHK-21 vaccine, when presented in baits, produced antibodies in 80 to 100% of dogs consuming more than one bait. Duration of immunity in foxes, from feeding the ERA strain rabies virus in baits, as determined by resistance to challenge with virulent virus, was at least 48 months. The vaccine strain retained some pathogenicity for nontarget species. In tests carried out on foxes, raccoons, dogs, cats and cattle, the vaccine did not cause vaccine-induced rabies. One of 14 skunks which consumed four baits developed vaccine-induced rabies, but virus could not be isolated from the salivary glands of this animal. The vaccine, when presented in baits, caused vaccine-induced rabies in 37% of laboratory mice, 3.4% of Microtus and 2.6% of Peromyscus species. Rabies virus could not be isolated from the salivary glands of rodents with vaccine-induced rabies. It was concluded that ERA virus propagated in BHK-21/C13 cells and incorporated in an acceptable bait produced a high titer, stable, immunogenic and safe vaccine for foxes.     

The safety and efficacy of immunizing foxes (Vulpes vulpes) using bait containing attenuated rabies virus vaccine.

Foxes given ERA rabies vaccine baits were challenged at one, six, 12 and 24 months later and showed a resistance to challenge in 80%, 78%, 60% and 44% of individuals respectively. All animals showing seroconversion following vaccination, resisted challenge at 24 months, suggesting that successful vaccination by the oral route could confer a relatively long term duration of immunity. The trials showed that fox pups did not immunize as easily as adult foxes using ERA rabies vaccine baits. Back-passage studies and the consumption of ERA injected mice by foxes failed to show any reversion of the vaccine virus to a virulent state. The fox and mouse are shown to be highly susceptible to rabies street virus, while the domestic species tested are consisderably more resistant. Monkeys were found to be intermediate in susceptibility to the virus. Safety tests carried out on various species of wildlife showed only the mouse to be susceptible to infection from ingesting the vaccine in the form of a bait. ERA rabies vaccine was shown to be safe in monkeys even when high titred virus was administered by the oral route.     

Efficacy of a baiting system for vaccinating foxes against rabies with vaccinia-rabies recombinant virus

The efficacy of a vaccinia-rabies recombinant virus (10(8) TCID50) contained in a machine-made baiting system has been tested in 22 captive young foxes which were divided into three experimental groups of six and a control group of four foxes. Each fox in groups 1, 2 and 3 were fed one, two and three vaccine-baits, respectively, on successive days. The four unvaccinated foxes were housed separately. As shown by the incorporation of a tetracycline biomarker into their bones, all the baited foxes ingested at least one bait. Thirty days after baiting seroconversion to rabies was observed in 15 (83 per cent) of the foxes and seroconversion to vaccinia in 14 (78 per cent). Sixteen of the 18 (89 per cent) baited foxes resisted a rabies challenge 30 days after baiting. One cub was protected against rabies despite the absence of detectable anti-rabies antibody. The results demonstrate that the bait-sachet system permits a good release of the virus suspension into the mouth.     

Efficacy of oral vaccination in the final stage of fox rabies elimination in Switzerland

Subsequent to rabies vaccination campaigns, two well-established methods for the determination of the proportion of vaccinated foxes--the detection of tetracycline (TC) in bones and the detection of virus neutralizing antibodies (VNA) in thoracic fluids--were used and compared. Special emphasis was given to the effect of a new method of bait distribution at the den, which is primarily targeted at young foxes. The overall proportion of vaccinated animals estimated by TC was 60% as compared to 50% by VNA. In young foxes overall, significantly lower proportions of vaccinated animals (58% by TC and 40% by VNA) than in adult foxes (75 and 59%) were estimated with both methods. Low proportions of vaccinated young animals were found after spring (39 and 18%), but also after autumn vaccination (56 and 35%). In contrast, after den vaccination the level of vaccination of young foxes reached that of adult foxes. The theoretical implication of the successful elimination of fox rabies in Switzerland in spite of a relatively low overall proportion of VNA-positive animals is discussed.     

Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2006

During 2006, 49 states and Puerto Rico reported 6,940 cases of rabies in animals and 3 cases in humans to the CDC, representing an 8.2% increase from the 6,417 cases in animals and 1 case in a human reported in 2005. Approximately 92% of the cases were in wildlife, and 8% were in domestic animals. Relative contributions by the major animal groups were as follows: 2,615 raccoons (37.7%), 1,692 bats (24.4%), 1,494 skunks (21.5%), 427 foxes (6.2%), 318 cats (4.6%), 82 cattle (1.2%), and 79 dogs (1.1%). Compared with numbers of reported cases in 2005, cases in 2006 increased among all groups except cattle. Increases in numbers of rabid raccoons during 2006 were reported by 11 of the 20 eastern states where raccoon rabies was enzootic, and reported cases increased by 3.2% overall, compared with 2005. On a national level, the number of rabies cases in skunks during 2006 increased by 6.1% from the number reported in 2005. Once again, Texas reported the greatest number (n = 351) of rabid skunks and the greatest overall state total of animal rabies cases (889). No cases of rabies associated with the dog/coyote rabies virus variant were reported. The last identified case of this canine rabies virus variant was identified in March 2004, along the US/Mexico border. With 2006 marking the second year of no apparent transmission of the dog/coyote variant, these findings from surveillance data support the contention that the canine rabies virus variant is no longer in circulation in the United States. Total number of cases of rabies reported nationally in foxes increased 13.6%, compared with 2005. Increases in the number of reported rabid foxes were attributable to greater numbers of foxes reported with the Arctic fox rabies virus variant in Alaska, the Texas gray fox rabies virus variant in Texas, and the raccoon rabies virus variant in Virginia. The 1,692 cases of rabies reported in bats represented a 14.5% increase, compared with numbers reported in 2005, making bats the second most reported rabid animal behind raccoons. Cases of rabies in cats, dogs, horses and mules, and sheep and goats increased 18.2%, 3.9%, 12.8%, and 22.2%, respectively, whereas cases reported in cattle decreased 11.8%. In Puerto Rico, reported cases of rabies in mongooses increased 9.2%, and rabies in domestic animals, presumably attributable to spillover infection from mongooses, increased 20%. Three cases of human rabies were reported from Texas, Indiana, and California during 2006. The cases in Indiana and Texas were attributed to bat rabies virus variants, whereas the case in California was attributed to an exposure to a dog in the Philippines.     

The spatial and temporal disappearance of different oral rabies vaccine baits

Bait disappearance can give valuable information for the assessment of oral vaccination campaigns of foxes against rabies. In this study, the spatial and temporal disappearance of three different vaccine baits under almost identical conditions was investigated. In the study area, 350 baits were placed at previously marked positions during two different periods; late autumn and early spring. The distribution of baits was in accordance with the method as recommended by the European Union; a density of 20 baits per km2 along flight lines 500m apart. Bait disappearance was checked 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after distribution. At least 80% of the baits had disappeared within one week after distribution. No difference in bait disappearance was observed between the two selected periods. However, a significant higher bait disappearance was observed in forested areas when compared to open agricultural areas. Furthermore, the differences in bait disappearance between the three type of baits tested were relatively small and not significant.     

Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2007

SUMMARY: During 2007, 49 states and Puerto Rico reported 7,258 cases of rabies in animals and 1 case in a human to the CDC, representing a 4.6% increase from the 6,940 cases in animals and 3 cases in humans reported in 2006. Approximately 93% of the cases were in wildlife, and 7% were in domestic animals. Relative contributions by the major animal groups were as follows: 2,659 raccoons (36.6%), 1,973 bats (27.2%), 1,478 skunks (20.4%), 489 foxes (6.7%), 274 cats (3.8%), 93 dogs (1.3%), and 57 cattle (0.8%). Compared with numbers of reported cases in 2006, cases in 2007 increased among dogs, bats, foxes, and skunks while decreases were reported among cattle, cats, and skunks. Increases in numbers of rabid raccoons during 2007 were reported by 11 of the 20 eastern states where raccoon rabies was enzootic, and reported cases increased by 1.7% overall, compared with 2006. On a national level, the number of rabies cases in skunks during 2007 decreased by 1.1% from the number reported in 2006. Texas reported the greatest number (n = 362) of rabid skunks and the greatest overall state total of animal rabies cases (969). No cases of rabies associated with the dog/coyote rabies virus variant were reported. The United States remains free of dog-to-dog transmission of canine rabies virus variants. The total number of cases of rabies reported nationally in foxes increased 14.5%, compared with 2006. Increases in the number of reported rabid foxes were attributable to greater numbers of foxes reported with the Arctic fox rabies virus variant in Alaska, the Texas gray fox rabies virus variant in Texas, and the raccoon rabies virus variant in Virginia. The 1,973 cases of rabies reported in bats represented a 16.6% increase over numbers reported in 2006. Cases of rabies in dogs and in sheep and goats increased 17.7% and 18.2%, respectively, whereas cases reported in cattle, cats, and horses and mules decreased 30.5%, 13.8%, and 20.8%, respectively. In Puerto Rico, reported cases of rabies in mongooses decreased 51.5%, and rabies in domestic animals, presumably attributable to spillover infection from mongooses, increased 25%. One human rabies case was reported from Minnesota during 2007. Although typing of the rabies virus variant in this case was not possible, an investigation of this case indicated a bat as the most likely source of exposure.     

Epidemiologic factors, clinical findings, and vaccination status of rabies in cats and dogs in the United States in 1988. National Study Group on Rabies

Despite the availability of rabies vaccination through private veterinarians and government-sponsored rabies control programs, rabies was reported in an average of 338 cats and dogs per year from 1980 through 1987 in the United States. Information was collected on 90% of the 183 cats and 97% of the 119 dogs that were reported to have rabies in the continental United States in 1988. The median age of rabid cats and dogs was 1 year, and 81% were from rural areas. Compared with rabid cats, rabid dogs were more likely to have been male (66 vs 42%, odds ratio = 2.6), to have been kept as pets (84 vs 43%, odds ratio = 6.8), and to have had reported contact with wildlife before onset of illness (38 vs 14%, odds ratio = 3.8). Rabid cats accounted for a greater proportion of human rabies postexposure prophylaxis, bites to people, and exposures to other animals than did rabid dogs. Although the clinical signs of rabies varied, rabid cats were more likely than dogs to have had aggressive behavior (55 vs 31%, odds ratio = 2.8). In contrast, rabid dogs were more likely than cats to have had an illness consistent with a paralytic process. The median period between onset of illness and death was 3 days (range, less than 1 to 10) in rabid cats and dogs that were allowed to die of rabies. Vaccine failures were documented in 3 (1%) rabid animals (2 cats and 1 dog). All animals had received only a single dose of vaccine in their lifetime and were vaccinated when they were between 3 and 6 months old.     

Control of terrestrial animal rabies in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, after oral vaccination of raccoons (1998-2007)

Objective-To evaluate the effectiveness of an oral rabies vaccination (ORV) project conducted from 1998 through 2007 in Anne Arundel County, Md, for the control of rabies in terrestrial animals. Design-Retrospective analysis of surveillance data (1997 through 2007). Animals-Free-ranging raccoons (Procyon lotor) and other terrestrial mammals. Procedures-Vaccinia-rabies glycoprotein recombinant virus oral rabies vaccine-bait units were distributed annually by aircraft and ground teams targeting free-ranging raccoons. Approximately 2 to 4 weeks following the vaccine-bait placement, raccoons were live trapped, sedated, processed, and then released. Serologic samples were tested for the presence of rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies (RVNAs). Bait acceptance was estimated by analysis of tetracycline biomarking of sampled teeth. Rabies incidence was determined by the passive identification of rabid terrestrial animals. Results-The incidence of rabies in terrestrial animals decreased 92% between 1997 (the year prior to the start of the ORV project) and 2007. The mean RVNA prevalence across all years was 33% among trapped raccoons in areas baited with a fish meal polymer bait type, whereas the mean bait acceptance was 30%. Adult raccoons had a seropositivity rate twice that of juvenile raccoons, whereas the bait acceptance rate between adults and juveniles did not differ significantly. For areas baited with a coated sachet bait, adults and juveniles had the same seroprevalence. Juveniles had better seroprevalence when the annual campaign started in September and October, compared with August. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-The ORV project contributed to a significant decrease in annual incidence of terrestrial animal rabies in Anne Arundel County, Md, during the 10-year project period. For fish meal polymer baits, juvenile raccoons accessed bait at the same rate as adult raccoons but had a significantly lower prevalence of RVNAs. For coated sachet baits, seroprevalence was the same in both age groups. The time of year the bait distribution occurred and the bait type used may be partial explanations for the difference in RVNA seroprevalence between adults and juvenile raccoons.     

Zoonotic pathogens isolated from wild animals and environmental samples at two California wildlife hospitals

During 2010, 48 states and Puerto Rico reported 6,154 rabid animals and 2 human rabies cases to the CDC, representing an 8% decrease from the 6,690 rabid animals and 4 human cases reported in 2009. Hawaii and Mississippi did not report any laboratory-confirmed rabid animals during 2010. Approximately 92% of reported rabid animals were wildlife. Relative contributions by the major animal groups were as follows: 2,246 raccoons (36.5%), 1,448 skunks (23.5%), 1,430 bats (23.2%), 429 foxes (6.9%), 303 cats (4.9%), 71 cattle (1.1 %), and 69 dogs (1.1 %). Compared with 2009, number of reported rabid animals decreased across all animal types with the exception of a 1 % increase in the number of reported rabid cats. Two cases of rabies involving humans were reported from Louisiana and Wisconsin in 2010. Louisiana reported an imported human rabies case involving a 19-year-old male migrant farm worker who had a history of a vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) bite received while in Mexico. This represents the first human rabies case reported in the United States confirmed to have been caused by a vampire bat rabies virus variant. Wisconsin reported a human rabies case involving a 70-year-old male that was confirmed to have been caused by a rabies virus variant associated with tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus).