Articles tagged with Rabies
A fatal rabies case in an 11-year-old boy underscores the risks of human contact with bats, even without visible bites or scratches. Prompt post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is crucial to prevent death from rabies if administered promptly after exposure.
In a phase 1 clinical trial, researchers found the LASSARAB vaccine to be safe and well-tolerated, inducing strong immune responses against Lassa fever and rabies. The vaccine demonstrated robust neutralizing antibody levels against the rabies virus, exceeding WHO's established threshold for protection.
Keratinocytes play a more active role in rabies infection than previously thought, supporting viral replication and transmitting the virus to neurons. This discovery provides new insights into the risk of infection from superficial scratches or minor bites.
Thomas Jefferson University has initiated a phase 1 clinical trial for a Lassa virus (LASV) vaccine, currently enrolling healthy volunteers. The vaccine's safety and immunogenicity will be assessed in both the rabies virus and LASV.
A study on capybaras infected with a rabies variant linked to vampire bats has been published in the journal Veterinary Research Communications. The research found that the viral strain was transmitted by vampire bats, which likely fed on the capybaras' blood during habitat disturbance.
A new brain-mapping neurotechnology called Single Transcriptome Assisted Rabies Tracing (START) has been developed to map the brain's intricate neuronal connections. The technique combines two advanced technologies to resolve cortical connectivity at the resolution of transcriptomic cell types, enabling the identification of distinct p...
Researchers from Thomas Jefferson University and the University of Maryland Baltimore developed a promising new vaccine candidate that protects against Lassa fever. The study demonstrated the vaccine effectively prevents severe cases of the disease and death in preclinical animal models, paving the way for research in people.
A new study by Emory University researchers found a link between deforestation and rabies outbreaks in cattle in Costa Rica. The study suggests that decreased availability of bat-roosting sites within forested habitat may increase the preference of vampire bats to feed on cattle.
The Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory sequenced a case of rabies from a black bear found in the state. The lab compared the genome with existing rabies sequences to identify a rare viral strain, closely resembling one from a raccoon in New England.
A rare case of an opossum infected with rabies has been reported in Brazil, highlighting the risk of virus transmission to humans. The study found that dogs can act as vectors for the virus and that opossums are key to surveillance in urban environments.
Researchers predict that vampire bats will expand their locations in search of more stable climates, potentially linked to a spillover of rabies. The team's work aims to identify and track the bats by traveling to Colombia to contain the spread.
Researchers found rabies virus variants closely related to those in White-tufted marmosets in bats, highlighting potential for human transmission. Genetic sequencing revealed complex spillover dynamics between hosts, emphasizing the need for public health measures and animal conservation.
The use of an animal rescue system – Hawk Data Pro – proved vital in detecting and controlling a potentially deadly rabies outbreak in Pune city, India. The system helped document an ongoing outbreak and direct awareness materials and mass dog vaccinations.
A new study finds that economic growth is insufficient to eliminate dog-mediated rabies, highlighting the need for targeted interventions such as improved pet ownership and education in vulnerable communities. The research uses data from over 100 countries to show a strong association between poverty and higher death rates from rabies.
A University of Maryland study found that domestic cats in Washington D.C. have a high probability of overlapping with native wildlife, including raccoons and opossums, increasing the risk of disease transmission and harming native populations. Keeping cats indoors can significantly reduce these risks.
Research led by Ohio State University found that male common vampire bats withdraw socially and scale back on grooming before dying from the disease. The study suggests that the virus may not manipulate host behavior to increase transmission chances.
Scientists have discovered a new, high-resolution view of the rabies virus glycoprotein, which could lead to more effective vaccines. The study's findings suggest that a better-shaped vaccine could provide lifelong protection against the deadly disease.
A study reveals that red fox populations in Western Europe became larger than before the rabies vaccination campaign, only to decline since the 2000s. Higher numbers of foxes supported the outbreak of other diseases, while their impacts were limited.
Researchers tracked a Mongolian gazelle traveling over 18,000 km, while new studies on raccoon movement inform improved vaccination strategies against wildlife disease. In contrast, urban bird species exhibit varying body weights and lifespans based on city characteristics.
A recent study published in the Journal of Wildlife Management found that vulture declines are linked to increased disease risks due to their absence. With no natural clean-up crew, diseases spread rapidly among scavenger communities, including feral dogs, which fill the ecological gap left by vultures.
Researchers sequenced genetic material from 88 bats and identified four unique rabies viruses, providing baseline data for future epidemiological investigations. The study highlights the importance of monitoring bat populations for rabies transmission and informs vaccine effectiveness.
Researchers have demonstrated a new treatment called KEDRAB to be safe and effective for use in children with rabies, marking the first pediatric trial of any human rabies immunoglobulin currently available in the US. The study found no deaths or serious adverse events among participants, and most side effects were mild.
A recent redesign of a dog vaccination campaign in Blantyre city, Malawi, reduced the cost and time associated with rabies prevention by leveraging real-time data collection. The campaign vaccinated over 70% of local dogs using a combination of fixed locations and door-to-door vaccinations.
A study in Kenya found that grassroots dog vaccination campaigns can prevent rabies deaths, but to eliminate the disease, larger efforts are required. The efforts involved vaccinating over 13,000 dogs and raising awareness among children about rabies prevention.
Researchers have visualized a broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibody, RVC20, which blocks the entry of the rabies virus into cells. The findings highlight new perspectives for prevention and treatment of the deadly disease.
Researchers integrated human and animal treatment to eliminate roundworm infections and rabies in Tanzanian villages. The study found no difference in participation rates between combined and stand-alone events.
Researchers used fluorescent gel to test vaccine effectiveness in wild vampire bats, showing a 2.6-fold increase in population-level immunity compared to conventional non-spreadable vaccines. The study suggests a strategic switch from poisoning to vaccination could lead to a dramatic reduction in rabies across Latin America.
Researchers developed a faster and stronger rabies vaccine by adding B cell activating factor (BAFF) to an existing inactivated virus-based vaccine. This new approach enhanced the immune system's response, increasing virus-neutralizing antibodies quickly and significantly.
Researchers have discovered a way to stop the rabies virus from shutting down the immune system, solving a long-standing scientific puzzle. The breakthrough involves disabling the binding of viral proteins to host cells' STAT1 protein, paving the way for new oral vaccines.
The Morris Animal Foundation has awarded over $1 million in wildlife health research grants to support studies on low fertility in elephants, rabies in bats and amphibian fungal disease. These studies aim to address critical health challenges in various species and promote conservation strategies.
Researchers analyzed data from seven Latin American countries to show that a 10% increase in dog vaccinations decreases human deaths by 12.4%. Additionally, increased vaccination rates lead to reduced healthcare demand in response to rabies elimination campaigns.
Research found that older adults are more likely to condemn accidentally harmful actions, even when no intent was involved. This could impact jury decisions and the legal system's approach to moral judgment.
A study highlights the importance of seeking prompt medical advice if symptoms of rabies are suspected, as delays can be fatal. Experts stress that preventive treatments are highly effective when given promptly after exposure, and encourage individuals to seek treatment immediately after a bite or scratch from an animal.
Researchers suggest an oral dog vaccine hidden in food could vaccinate millions of stray dogs daily, reducing the risk of rabies transmission to humans. The combined injectable and oral vaccination approach is estimated to be more efficient and potentially cheaper.
A study found that interventions in dog populations could significantly reduce rabies transmission in rural China. The research analyzed genomic and epidemiological data from a re-emerging rabies outbreak in Yunnan, China, and estimated transmission rates between dogs and humans.
Researchers have developed a novel vaccine that protects against both Lassa fever and rabies, with promising results in preclinical testing. The vaccine, called LASSARAB, uses a weakened rabies virus vector to elicit an immune response against both viruses.
Researchers at Princeton University discovered that rabies virus uses a distinct transport process to reach neuronal cell bodies, contrasting with other neuron-invading viruses. Emetine, a protein synthesis inhibitor used to treat amoebic dysentery, efficiently blocks rabies virus transport by immobilizing endosomes carrying the virus.
Researchers use rabies virus machinery to deliver deferoxamine, a metal-grabbing compound, directly to brain cells, reducing iron buildup and reversing disease symptoms. The therapeutic agent is composed of nanoparticles stuffed with deferoxamine and is already approved for use in the clinic.
A proof-of-concept study reveals that mass dog vaccination can effectively eliminate human exposure to rabies in Africa. The research found that with over 65% of a city's dog population vaccinated, the risk of transmission was significantly reduced.
A study led by University of Utah researcher Lee Raby found that children who experience abuse and neglect early in life are more likely to struggle with social relationships and underachieve academically as adults. The study, published in Child Development, suggests that maltreatment's effects can persist from childhood through adoles...
Researchers estimate that vampire bat rabies causes between 505-724 cattle deaths annually in Peru, with significant financial losses for farming communities. Enhancing vaccination programs can reduce the disease burden and increase awareness can encourage preventative measures.
A proof-of-concept study reveals that mass dog vaccination can eliminate human rabies exposure in Africa. The study, conducted in Chad, demonstrated the effectiveness of a 20-year-old strategy targeting foxes, with over 65% of the city's dog population vaccinated against rabies.
Researchers successfully interrupted rabies transmission in N'Djaména, Chad, after two mass dog vaccination campaigns. The campaigns reduced dog-to-human transmissions by less than one per million people, highlighting the effectiveness of vaccines when local communities are informed and engaged.
A new study reveals how rabies induces frenzied behavior in animals by binding to and inhibiting brain receptors, leading to the transmission of the disease. The research provides a molecular mechanism for this behavior change, shedding light on why rabies is devastating in poor, rural regions.
Researchers funded by Morris Animal Foundation found that the rabies vaccine reduces mortality from all causes in dogs by 56 percent, particularly among young dogs. This non-specific protective effect may have implications for human medicine as well.
A cheap, temperature-stable, and easy-to-produce vaccine against both diseases is being developed by the RABYD-VAX consortium, led by KU Leuven. The vaccine has the potential to protect against two deadly diseases: rabies and yellow fever.
Researchers found that vampire bats are feeding on the blood of feral pigs and wild boars in Brazil and the Americas, increasing the risk of rabies transmission. The study highlights the alarming link between invasive feral pig populations and the spread of diseases among livestock.
Researchers used rabies viruses to visualize neural transplant integration in mouse brains, revealing region-specific connections between transplanted cells and host neurons. The approach opens new prospects for predicting and optimizing the ability of neural transplants to functionally integrate into a host nervous system.
A new study found that vaccinating 200,000 stray dogs annually can reduce rabies incidence by 90% in Tamil Nadu, India, while costing approximately $1.27 million per year.
Scientists analyzed hundreds of viral genome sequences to identify evolutionary patterns in rabies viruses that jump between host species. The study found unique trends in bat-related and dog-related rabies strains, suggesting different evolution rates and host jumping mechanisms.
A modified rabies virus expressing a protein from the MERS virus protects mice against both diseases. The dual compound could lead to an effective human vaccine for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and prevent its spread in camels.
A WSU-led research team found that a commonly used rabies vaccine produces the same protective antibodies in dogs after being stored for six months at warmer temperatures. This could lead to improved vaccination coverage in hard-to-reach areas of Africa and Asia, reducing the likelihood of rabies returning to communities.
Researchers in Northwestern China report ongoing transmission of rabies, highlighting challenges in reservoir animals such as dogs and wild foxes. The study emphasizes the need for oral vaccines for these animals, citing limited evidence on vaccination dosing and scheduling.
Rabies tests fail to yield accurate results in over half of positive samples, raising concerns for human safety. The study highlights the need for improved quality control measures among producers to ensure the reliability of these tests.
Salk Institute scientists have developed a new reagent to map the brain's complex network of connections, 20 times more efficient than the previous version. The improved tool allows researchers to visualize neural circuitry and learn more about conditions like motor diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders.
A mobile-phone-based system is demonstrating huge potential for improving public health service delivery in resource-poor settings. The system has facilitated ongoing data collection, greatly improving data quality, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness.
A new smartphone app has enabled vets to vaccinate 70% of the dog population in Ranchi, India, minimizing the risk of rabies transmission. The app tracks vaccinated and unvaccinated dogs, allowing for targeted vaccination efforts.
Researchers at Columbia University's Zuckerman Institute have created a safer strain of rabies virus that can map brain activity in real-time, allowing for a more complete understanding of brain cellular circuits. This innovation has far-reaching applications for brain research and disease treatment.
A study by Plymouth University suggests that Japan's new sea defense plans could be shared with other nations to improve their preparedness for tsunamis. The research analyzed Japan's history of coastal defense design and measures taken since 2011, highlighting the country's progress in mitigating tsunami impacts.
Recent changes to EU regulations have led to an increase in imported pets from Eastern Europe, where rabies is endemic, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current checks. The study found that many stray and rescue dogs had low antibody levels against rabies, suggesting potential risks for these animals.