The incidence of rabies in wild animals and the legal measures required in the event of rabies outbreaks

Abstract

Rabies is a sporadic-endemic infectious disease common to humans and animals that is transmitted by bite. The disease is characterized by hyperexcitability and aggression followed by paresis, paralysis and death. In Europe, the main reservoir of rabies is represented by wild animals, especially the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). The processed data were taken from the National Veterinary Sanitary and Food Safety Authority (A.N.S.V.S.A.), from the website of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and from the website of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). Therefore, we conducted a study on the situation of confirmed rabies cases in wild animals during the period 2001-2010 and 2014-2024 (30.09.2024). The implementation of oral vaccination (ORV) programs with baits for foxes since 2011 has reduced the incidence of rabies in Romania. Oral anti-rabies vaccination programs for foxes, complemented by increased passive surveillance of both domestic and wild animals susceptible to rabies virus infection, represent a major need due to the infectious pressure in the northern and northeastern areas of Romania. The presence of rabies virus in the domestic and wild animal population, as a result of the cases reported in Romania, highlights the need to implement a surveillance program over a longer period of time, to raise awareness among the public, but also among professionals, to ensure the immediate detection of possible rabies cases.