The History of Rabies in Trinidad: Epidemiology and Control Measures
Vampire bat-transmitted rabies was first recognized in Trinidad during a major outbreak reported in 1925. Trinidad is the only Caribbean island with vampire bat-transmitted rabies. We conducted a literature review to describe the changing epidemiology of rabies in Trinidad and give a historical pers...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2017-07-01
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| Series: | Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/2/3/27 |
| _version_ | 1798005094315196416 |
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| author | Janine F. R. Seetahal Alexandra Vokaty Christine V.F. Carrington Abiodun A. Adesiyun Ron Mahabir Avery Q. J. Hinds Charles E. Rupprecht |
| author_facet | Janine F. R. Seetahal Alexandra Vokaty Christine V.F. Carrington Abiodun A. Adesiyun Ron Mahabir Avery Q. J. Hinds Charles E. Rupprecht |
| author_sort | Janine F. R. Seetahal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Vampire bat-transmitted rabies was first recognized in Trinidad during a major outbreak reported in 1925. Trinidad is the only Caribbean island with vampire bat-transmitted rabies. We conducted a literature review to describe the changing epidemiology of rabies in Trinidad and give a historical perspective to rabies prevention and control measures on the island. The last human case of rabies occurred in 1937 and although no case of canine-transmitted rabies was reported since 1914, sporadic outbreaks of bat-transmitted rabies still occur in livestock to date. Over the last century, seven notable epidemics were recorded in Trinidad with the loss of over 3000 animals. During the 1950s, several measures were effectively adopted for the prevention and control of the disease which led to a significant reduction in the number of cases. These measures include: vampire bat population control, livestock vaccination, and animal surveillance. However, due to lapses in these measures over the years (e.g., periods of limited vampire control and incomplete herd vaccination), epidemics have occurred. In light of the significant negative impact of rabies on animal production and human health, rabies surveillance in Trinidad should be enhanced and cases evaluated towards the design and implementation of more evidence-based prevention and control programs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T12:34:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c589348b178043a49e1b0fbb6d0e6ca5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2414-6366 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T12:34:50Z |
| publishDate | 2017-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease |
| spelling | doaj.art-c589348b178043a49e1b0fbb6d0e6ca52022-12-22T04:23:40ZengMDPI AGTropical Medicine and Infectious Disease2414-63662017-07-01232710.3390/tropicalmed2030027tropicalmed2030027The History of Rabies in Trinidad: Epidemiology and Control MeasuresJanine F. R. Seetahal0Alexandra Vokaty1Christine V.F. Carrington2Abiodun A. Adesiyun3Ron Mahabir4Avery Q. J. Hinds5Charles E. Rupprecht6Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and TobagoPan American Health Organization, Trinidad and Tobago Country Office, St. Clair, Trinidad and TobagoDepartment of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and TobagoSchool of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and TobagoDepartment of Geography and Geoinformation Science, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USACaribbean Public Health Agency, 16–18 Jamaica Boulevard, Port of Spain, Trinidad and TobagoThe Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USAVampire bat-transmitted rabies was first recognized in Trinidad during a major outbreak reported in 1925. Trinidad is the only Caribbean island with vampire bat-transmitted rabies. We conducted a literature review to describe the changing epidemiology of rabies in Trinidad and give a historical perspective to rabies prevention and control measures on the island. The last human case of rabies occurred in 1937 and although no case of canine-transmitted rabies was reported since 1914, sporadic outbreaks of bat-transmitted rabies still occur in livestock to date. Over the last century, seven notable epidemics were recorded in Trinidad with the loss of over 3000 animals. During the 1950s, several measures were effectively adopted for the prevention and control of the disease which led to a significant reduction in the number of cases. These measures include: vampire bat population control, livestock vaccination, and animal surveillance. However, due to lapses in these measures over the years (e.g., periods of limited vampire control and incomplete herd vaccination), epidemics have occurred. In light of the significant negative impact of rabies on animal production and human health, rabies surveillance in Trinidad should be enhanced and cases evaluated towards the design and implementation of more evidence-based prevention and control programs.https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/2/3/27rabiesTrinidadCaribbeanpublic healthvampire batDesmodus rotundusbat-transmitted rabiesepidemiczoonosisOne Health |
| spellingShingle | Janine F. R. Seetahal Alexandra Vokaty Christine V.F. Carrington Abiodun A. Adesiyun Ron Mahabir Avery Q. J. Hinds Charles E. Rupprecht The History of Rabies in Trinidad: Epidemiology and Control Measures Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease rabies Trinidad Caribbean public health vampire bat Desmodus rotundus bat-transmitted rabies epidemic zoonosis One Health |
| title | The History of Rabies in Trinidad: Epidemiology and Control Measures |
| title_full | The History of Rabies in Trinidad: Epidemiology and Control Measures |
| title_fullStr | The History of Rabies in Trinidad: Epidemiology and Control Measures |
| title_full_unstemmed | The History of Rabies in Trinidad: Epidemiology and Control Measures |
| title_short | The History of Rabies in Trinidad: Epidemiology and Control Measures |
| title_sort | history of rabies in trinidad epidemiology and control measures |
| topic | rabies Trinidad Caribbean public health vampire bat Desmodus rotundus bat-transmitted rabies epidemic zoonosis One Health |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/2/3/27 |
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