Mexico is under alarm for rabies cases; this is how it has evolved in 10 years

four years later Mexico was recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the first nation to have eliminated dog-borne rabiesthe country lit the red flags after In recent weeks, new cases of this viral disease have been recorded, which has a lethality of almost 100% in humans.

The past January 20, 2023 the National Committee for Epidemiological Surveillance (CONAVE), of the Ministry of Health (Ssa), published an epidemiological opinion due to new cases in the country after not recording any for 18 years, when in 2005 two residents of the state of Mexico were confirmed to have tested positive.

There human rabies is a zoonosis —Animal disease transmitted to humans by direct contagion with the sick specimen—, which causes acute encephalitis as well as other symptoms including fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, anxiety, confusion, hyperactivity, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, fear of water, fear of air, hallucinations, insomnia and partial paralysis.

The last case of contagion in the country happened last January in the state of Sonora, when a dog attacked by a gray fox tested positive.

This was also preceded by the attack on a woman in Nayarit by her cat that he was not vaccinated; two other cases confirmed by laboratory and epidemiological association; as well as the notification of a suspect and two miners confirmed by bat attack in San Lorenzo Texmelucan, Oaxaca.

The rabies virus It is present on all continents with the exception of Antarctica, and is responsible for approximately 60,000 deaths per year95% of which occur mainly in Asian and African countries, according to WHO records.

In the American continent It was possible to reduce the incidence of human rabies cases through the implementation of an animal vaccination program, which is why from 2013 to 2022 they were barely recorded 191 incidents.

According to statistical information from the Regional Information System for the Epidemiological Surveillance of Rabies (SIRVERA) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), of the 191 cases recorded over the past decade at least seven occurred in Mexico.

At the local level, it is necessary the most contagious entities in humans over the past decade are Guerrero, with two cases; and Chihuahua, Durango, Jalisco, Tamaulipas and Veracruz, with one case each.

Mexico has implemented a national strategy for the control and elimination of rabies which includes the holding of massive and free vaccination campaigns for pets since the 1990s, continuous and effective monitoring and societal awareness, however, the figures of recent weeks jeopardize the certification granted by the WHO.

Although the hot season has long been associated with an increase in rabies cases, the relationship is based on the fact that it coincides with the breeding cycles of dogs, so the risk of packs fighting over the female increases.

Another major concern in recent years is the likely increase in cases of rabies transmitted by jungle mammalsespecially because in these cases it is not possible to include them in vaccination campaigns for better control.

SIRVERA’s figures show that over the pasts 5 years, 1,877 cases of rabies in various animals have been recorded in Mexicoexperiencing a worrying rebound in 2018 and 2019 with 1,724 and 134 cases respectively.

In addition, the Ministry of Health in the “Specific Action Program for the Prevention and Control of Zoonotic and Emerging Diseases 2020-2024” indicated that from 2010 to 2019 13 deaths have been recorded in cases of rabies transmitted by wild animals, 10 of which were transmitted by bats, two by a skunk and one by a gray fox. Added to this would be the death of two minors who were attacked by a bats in Oaxaca in the last days of 2022.

“In 100% of deaths due to rabies, we observed that the common denominator was not to immediately seek medical and anti-rabies care (…) other factors are also added, such as the limited access to primary health care services, the ignorance of the doctors of the outpatient clinic and the poor dissemination of the risks of transmission of this condition, ”explains the document.

Among the cases of rabies recorded in animals in Mexico in the last five years, it is necessary to Nayarit is the entity with the most positive points (923); followed by Veracruz (300); Yucatán (180); Hidalgo (95); and Tabasco (62).

According to Conave, the hematophagous bat is the species that worries the most, being responsible for 66% of infections.

Meanwhile, in the list of the 10 animals that have recorded the most cases of rabies in the last five years are the species cattle, horses, wild cats, blood sucking bats, pigs, goats, sheep, cats, skunks and dogs.

The rabies virus is transmitted by direct contact ―cuts to the skin, mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth― with saliva or nervous system or brain tissue of an infected animal.

Among the animals that can get it are pets and farm animals (cats, dogs, cows, ferrets, goats, horses, sheep), as well as wild species (bats, beavers, coyotes, foxes, monkeys, raccoons, skunks, groundhogs and more). All can transmit it to man.

To prevent a case, it is recommended to vaccinate pets and keep them indoors, especially if people live in rural areas where there may be predatory animals; avoid approaching wild animals and do not face them if they enter the house.

symptoms in pets These include seeing the cat or dog sad, aggressive for no reason, restless, with photophobia (sensitivity to light), if he has difficulty swallowing, dilated pupils or a blank stare, if he walks unsteadily, has tremors or stops moving.

If a potential case of rabies is suspected, consult a doctor and veterinarian immediately, especially if it is an exposure due to aggression.

In Mexico, the incubation period is six to 249 days, with an average of 69according to the Ministry of Health, and the variability depends on the transmitting species and the site of virus inoculation.

Although there is no specific treatment, the application of human rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin is recommended in severe cases. In case of being mild, only the human rabies vaccine.