Human Rabies in Brazil: epidemiological analysis of cases associated with wild animals in the last ten years based on DATASUS data
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17235597Keywords:
Rabies, Epidemiology, Wild Animals, Public Health, Epidemiological SurveillanceAbstract
Rabies remains one of the most lethal and important zoonoses in public health, especially in Latin American countries, where interactions between humans, domestic animals, and wildlife contribute to the persistence of the disease. This study aimed to analyze cases of human rabies transmitted by wild animals in Brazil over the past ten years, using data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN/DATASUS). The methodology consisted of an observational, descriptive, and retrospective study, covering historical records from 2013 to 2023. The results demonstrated that, despite the reduction in urban rabies cases resulting from vaccination programs in dogs and cats, episodes associated with vampire and non-vampire bats remain recurrent in certain regions, especially in the Legal Amazon and in areas of social vulnerability. The analysis reinforces that the absence of cases in some states may be associated with underreporting and not necessarily with disease eradication. The discussion, based on national and international scientific literature, highlights the importance of active epidemiological surveillance, the integration of human, animal, and environmental health (the One Health approach), and the provision of prophylactic supplies, such as vaccines and anti-rabies serums, especially in remote locations. It concludes that rabies transmitted by wild animals in Brazil represents a persistent and multifactorial challenge, requiring continuous and interdisciplinary strategies to advance toward the elimination goal proposed by the World Health Organization by 2030.
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