, 2013)

and the role of public-private partnerships in rabies control efforts ( Taylor, 2013). Rabies is caused by viruses in the genus Lyssavirus in the family Rhabdoviridae, order Mononegavirales ( Dietzgen et al., 2011, Freuling et al., 2011 and Marston et al., 2012). Each of the 12 recognized learn more lyssavirus species has its own distinct geographic and host range distribution. Only the prototype species, rabies virus, is detected in domestic and wild animals worldwide. Canine rabies has been eliminated from many regions through veterinary service initiatives, including the mandatory registration and vaccination of dogs and requirements for responsible dog ownership (Blanton et al., 2012 and CDC, 2007). Oral vaccination campaigns for wildlife have also removed the threat of sylvatic rabies from carnivores in some areas (Muller et al., 2012). However, despite successes in Western Europe and parts of North America (MacInnes et al., 2001 and Müller et al., 2012), rabies virus continues to circulate in independent epidemiological cycles in wild carnivores in other regions. Lyssavirus species and other

zoonotic pathogens in bats continue to emerge as a public health threat (Banyard et al., 2011, Cutler et al., 2010 and Gilbert et al., 2012). The human rabies burden is highest in Asia, with most deaths occurring in India (Burki, 2008). This situation reflects the relative lack of systematic control and prevention initiatives, including surveillance Selleckchem Kinase Inhibitor Library PD184352 (CI-1040) and response systems. However, even though rabies is a major public health problem in India, it is only one of many infectious diseases threatening humans: cholera, viral hepatitis, leptospirosis, anthrax, tuberculosis, malaria and HIV infections also impose a heavy burden. Because vaccine-preventable diseases, especially in children, are the first public health priority (John

et al., 2011), rabies and other zoonoses tend to be neglected, as they are not seen as the responsibility of either human or veterinary health care providers. The most recent attempt to quantify the burden of human rabies in India concluded that its incidence was 2 per 100,000 population, giving an annual total of more than 20,000 deaths (Burki, 2008 and Sudarshan, 2007). The key priorities in the fight against rabies are enhanced laboratory capabilities, improved access to modern vaccines, enforcement of responsible dog ownership, and enhanced public education and awareness of the disease. With an emerging global economy, India clearly must implement mechanisms to reduce and eliminate rabies. The first step will be the establishment of an official OIE reference laboratory in the Indian subcontinent region.