Insights into the occurrence of rabies viruses in multi-species animals based on diagnostic laboratory submissions

ABSTRACT Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease caused by the rabies virus (RABV), primarily affecting the central nervous system of mammals. Understanding the epidemiology of animal rabies is critical for developing effective prevention and control strategies. This study aimed to analyze animal rabies cases received at a veterinary diagnostic laboratory in Georgia, USA, over 5 years (2019–2023), focusing on the most commonly infected species, seasonality trends, and geographical distributions. A total of 1,560 rabies-suspect cases, representing 21 species of animals, were tested using a direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT). Of 1,560 cases, 5.6% (88/1560) were positive across 11 species, with domestic animals accounting for 17% (15/88) of rabies cases, whereas wildlife species exhibited a higher occurrence of 83% (73/88). Among wildlife, the affected species were raccoons (35.2% [31/88]), skunks (25% [22/88]), white-tailed deer (8% [7/88]), foxes (6.8% [6/88]), bats (4.5% [4/88]), bobcats (2.3% [2/88]), and great kudu (1.1% [1/88]). In domestic animals, the affected species included bovine (6.8% [6/88]), feline (5.7% [5/88]), caprine (2.3% [2/88]), and equine (2.3% [2/88]). Positive cases were predominantly detected in submissions from Georgia, with a few additional cases identified in neighboring states and unknown locations. Furthermore, fall, spring, and summer seasons showed high infection rates compared with winter. Our findings highlight distinct seasonal trends and the significant burden of rabies among wildlife in the Southeastern United States. IMPORTANCE Rabies is a fatal zoonotic viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals including humans. It is transmitted mainly through bites or scratches by infected animals such as dogs, bats, raccoons, and other wild animals. The present study analyzed data on clinical specimens submitted to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory for the detection of rabies in domestic and wild animals for a period of 5 years. The study examined a total of 1,560 rabies-suspect cases, representing 21 species of animals tested using the standard direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) assay. Out of 1,560 cases, 5.6% were positive across 11 species, with domestic animals accounting for 17% and wild animals accounting for 83% of the total cases. Different species of wild animal species showed a significantly higher incidence of rabies, highlighting the importance of wildlife in spreading rabies to domestic animals and the threat it poses to public health.