CONTROL MEASURES AND IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE TREATMENT OF RABIES IN BATS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/arev8n6-045Keywords:
Rabies, Bats, Public Health, Desmodus rotundus, Epidemiological Surveillance, One HealthAbstract
Rabies, a progressive and fatal encephalitis caused by Lyssavirus, has bats as its main natural reservoirs. In Latin America, the vampire bat Desmodus rotundus is the predominant vector after the control of canine rabies, with viral dissemination amplified by anthropogenic factors such as deforestation and urbanization. This study is a narrative literature review that examines contemporary scientific evidence on control strategies and the public health impacts of rabies management in bats, using a search in the PubMed database with the descriptors "Rabies" and "Chiroptera". The results demonstrate that the epidemiology of rabies is influenced by seasonal and behavioral factors. The adaptation of bats to artificial roosts in livestock areas, as well as forest fragmentation in urban environments, increases the risk of transmission (spillover) to humans and domestic animals. Control requires a One Health approach, prioritizing continuous epidemiological surveillance, health education, and vaccination of herds and domestic animals. The development of recombinant oral vaccines for vampire bats is promising. Strengthening integrated surveillance is crucial for reducing viral circulation and preventing new cases.
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References
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