Population division and prevention and control situation of rabies virus in Hunan Province

  Objective  To update the population types and evolutionary characteristics of rabies virus (RABV) circulating in Hunan Province, and to analyze and judge the situation of rabies epidemic prevention and control in Hunan Province.

  Methods  The canine brain tissue specimens collected in Hunan Province from 2012 to 2017 were detected by direct immunofluorescence and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The positive specimens were tested for the full sequence of N gene (1 353 bp) and sequence homology. Analyze and conduct phylogenetic analysis together with the representative strains of 7 RABV populations in China.

  Results  The N gene nucleotide homology of the 25 newly tested RABV strains in Hunan Province was 91.9%–100%, and the amino acid homology was 83.6%–100%; the results of population division showed that 84% (21/25) of the virus strains are ChinaⅠgroup, 4 strains are China Ⅱgroup, China Ⅲ group and China V group prevalent in Hunan before 2010 have not been detected.

  Conclusion  The type of rabies virus epidemic population in Hunan Province has not increased, and it is limited to the two main canine populations in China. Only by effectively strengthening dog management, especially the management and immunization of rural dogs, can the rabies epidemic in Hunan Province be further controlled.