Research on confirming the diagnosis of rabies and avian influenza in domestic and wild animals in North-eastern Romania

Abstract

Epidemiological investigations conducted on some major infectious diseases evolving in NE Romania (rabies and avian influenza) were carried out in the period 2018-2024 in both wild animals of hunting interest and domestic animals. In this regard, laboratory examinations that confirmed the diagnosis were of great importance.The diagnosis of rabies in foxes and cattle was confirmed by direct immunofluorescence (IFD) and bioassay on laboratory mice, and the diagnosis of avian influenza (flu) in swans was confirmed by Real-time RT-PCR.3612 brain samples collected from foxes and 27 brain samples from cattle were analyzed for rabies - of these, 178 samples were positive by IFD (70 samples from foxes and 27 from cattle), and 43 samples were confirmed by bioassay. Intense circulation of the rabies virus with high epidemic potential was observed in Iași and Botoșani counties, while in Neamț and Vaslui counties the virus presents a low but persistent risk profile.When infected with influenza A viruses, H5N1 strains were confirmed in 119 swans out of 197 swans examined (approx. 60%). The highest positivity rate was identified in Neamț, Botoșani and Suceava counties where swans nested in greater numbers in wetlands.