The spread of animal rabies on the territory of the Smolensk region

Abstract

The article analyzes the occurrence and spread of animal rabies disease in the Smolensk region for 2017-2021. At the same time, the following were studied: the incidence rate among susceptible species of farm animals, domestic carnivores and wild fauna, the geographical location of disadvantaged territories in which natural foci of rabies were activated during the specified period and the results of work on preventive measures and the elimination of animal diseases with rabies.
Starting from the 80s of the last century, the natural type of rabies epizootics began to spread on the territory of the region, this also indicates the presence of a reservoir of the causative agent of infection, the formation and persistent preservation of natural foci of rabies, supported not only by foxes, but also raccoon dogs, wolves.
As the analysis of the epizootic situation of animal rabies disease shows, the main source and distributor of rabies in the region are representatives of the canine family, who have been supporting stable foci of sylvatic rabies for many years. Their share among infected wild animals for five years (2017-2021) accounts for 48.5% of cases of rabies, but at the same time, during the analyzed period, rabies of domestic animals increases and amounts to 50.2%, which is reflected in chart No. 1.
Animal rabies has spread and is firmly rooted in the Smolensk region, which has actually turned into a vast, unified natural focal area.