Rabies among animals in Saudi Arabia

• Main Authors: Samy Kasem, Raed Hussein, Ali Al-Doweriej, Ibrahim Qasim, Ali Abu-Obeida, Ibrahim Almulhim, Hassan Alfarhan, Ahmed A. Hodhod, Mohamed Abel-latif, Osman Hashim, Dakhil Al-Mujalli, Ali AL-Sahaf
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2019-05-01
• Series: Journal of Infection and Public Health
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034118301564

Background: Rabies is a fatal viral disease that continues to threaten human and animal health in endemic countries. Rabies is endemic in animals in the Arabian Peninsula. Although Saudi Arabia is the largest country on the Peninsula, little has been reported in the country about rabies situation. Methods: A total of 199 animals suspected of rabies from 2010 to 2017, were examined for rabies infection using the Direct Fluorescent Antibody Test (DFAT). Results: There were 158 (79.4%) positive cases of rabies of the examined animals, Most positive cases were found in Al-Qassim (63), Eastern region (48), Riyadh (25) and Al-Madina (10). Rabies was diagnosed in Procavia capensis and monkeys (Papio hamadryas hamadryas) in Saudi Arabia for the first time. In addition, infected livestock, especially camels, sheep and goat that pose a risk to veterinarians and farmers which increases the risk of potential zoonosis of rabies in Saudi Arabia. Conclusion: These findings indicate that Rabies in Saudi Arabia remain a public health problem and dogs and camels are the main reservoir and continue to present health risks for both human and animals throughout the country, underscoring the importance of applying rabies control measures to animals and humans. Keywords: Rabies, Zoonosis, Saudi Arabia