Fifty Years of the National Rabies Control Program in Brazil under the One Health Perspective.

In 1973, the National Rabies Program was created in Brazil through an agreement between the Ministry of Health and Agriculture. Since its beginning, it developed integrated action through access to free post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for people at risk, dog vaccination campaigns, a joint surveillance system, and awareness. This study aims to describe human rabies in Brazil under the One Health perspective in recent decades, including achievements in the control of dog-mediated cases and challenges in human cases transmitted by wild animals. This paper also explores possible drivers of human rabies in the Northeast Region with half of the cases. The first part of this study was descriptive, presenting data and examples by periods. Statistical analysis was performed in the last period (2010-2022) to explore possible drivers. Dog-mediated human cases decreased from 147 to 0, and dog cases decreased from 4500 to 7. A major challenge is now human cases transmitted by wild animals (bats, non-human primates, and wild canids). Most current human cases occur in municipalities with a tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forest biome and a Gini index higher than 0.5. In the multivariable analysis, an association with temperature was estimated (OR = 1.739; CI95% = 1.181-2.744), and primary healthcare coverage (OR = 0.947; CI95% = 0.915-0.987) was identified as a protector. It is possible to significantly reduce the number of dog-mediated human rabies cases through the efforts presented. However, Brazil has wildlife variants of the rabies virus circulating. The association of human cases with higher temperatures in the Northeast is a concern with climate change. To reduce human cases transmitted by wild animals, it is important to continue distributing free PEP, especially in remote at-risk areas in the Amazon Region, and to increase awareness.

Rabies outbreak in Brazil: first case series in children from an indigenous village.

BACKGROUND: Human rabies outbreak transmitted by bats continues to be a relevant public health problem not only in the Amazon region. The disease has affected one of the areas with the greatest poverty in southeastern Brazil, a region inhabited by the Maxakali indigenous people. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe four cases of rabies among indigenous children that occurred in the indigenous village of Pradinho, municipality of Bertópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Cases were notified between April and May 2022, all of whom died on average eight days after the first symptoms. All cases were observed in rural residents under 12 years of age. The probable form of exposure was through bat bites. The predominant symptoms were prostration, fever, dyspnea, sialorrhea, tachycardia, and altered level of consciousness. Half of the cases underwent late and/or incomplete post-exposure rabies prophylaxis, however, the other half underwent pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis, with only one case completing the scheme and another undergoing the adapted Milwaukee Protocol (Recife Protocol). All cases ended in death. CONCLUSIONS: This was the first rabies outbreak among indigenous people in Brazil. Among the manifested clinical forms in the series, there was a disease atypical presentation in at least one case. We suggest active surveillance and an intercultural educational campaign to prevent new cases.

No Evidence of Rabies Exposure in Wild Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) of Northeast Brazil.

Rabies transmitted by wildlife is the main source of human rabies mortality in Latin America and considered an emerging disease. The common marmoset Callithrix jacchus of Brazil is the only known primate reservoir of rabies worldwide. We tested whether alive free-ranging C. jacchus were exposed to rabies in four northeast states that have previously reported rabies-positive dead C. jacchus (Pernambuco and Bahia) or not (Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte). Our results show no evidence of rabies antibodies or infection in the sampled C. jacchus, suggesting that apparently healthy marmosets are not widely exposed to rabies over their natural range.

Description of human anti-rabies post-exposure prophylaxis care notifications in Brazil, 2014-2019. / Descrição das notificações de atendimento antirrábico humano para profilaxia pós-exposição no Brasil, 2014-2019.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze human anti-rabies post-exposure prophylaxis notifications in Brazil. METHODS: This was a descriptive study using data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System in Brazil, from 2014 to 2019. RESULTS: A total of 4,033,098 anti-rabies medical consultations were notified, averaging 672,183 a year. Percentage care was higher among males (n = 2,111,369; 52.4%), those under 19 years old (n = 1,423,433; 35.3%), living in urban areas (n = 3,386,589; 88.1%), attacked by dogs (n = 3,281,190; 81.5%) and bitten (n = 3,575,717; 81.9%), mainly on the hands and feet (n = 1,541,201; 35.3%). The most frequent prophylactic procedure was observation plus vaccination (n = 1,736,036; 44.2%). Prophylactic procedure was appropriate in 57.8% (n = 2,169,689) of cases and inappropriate in 42.2% (n = 1,582,411) of cases. CONCLUSION: Although there were appropriate prophylactic procedures, we also found procedures that were inappropriate and which, when insufficient, can result in cases of human rabies and, when unnecessary, can result in waste, including shortage of immunobiological products.

Spatio-temporal dynamics of rabies and habitat suitability of the common marmoset Callithrix jacchus in Brazil.

Rabies transmitted by wildlife is now the main source of human rabies in the Americas. The common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus, is considered a reservoir of rabies causing sporadic and unpredictable human deaths in Brazil, but the extent of the spillover risk to humans remains unknown. In this study, we described the spatiotemporal dynamics of rabies affecting C. jacchus reported to Brazil's Ministry of Health passive surveillance system between 2008 and 2020, and combined ecological niche modelling with C. jacchus occurrence data to predict its suitable habitat. Our results show that 67 outbreaks (91 cases) of rabies affecting C. jacchus were reported by 41 municipalities between January 2008 and October 2020, with a mean of 5 outbreaks/year [range: 1-14]. The maximum number of outbreaks and municipalities reporting cases occurred in 2018, coinciding with higher surveillance of primate deaths due to Yellow Fever. A mean of 3 [1-9] new municipalities reported outbreaks yearly, suggesting potential spatial expansions of the C. jacchus variant in northeastern Brazil and emerging rabies spillover from vampire bat Desmodus rotundus to C. jacchus in the north and south. Outbreaks were concentrated in the states of Ceará (72%) and Pernambuco (16%) up to 2012, but are now reported in Piauí since 2013, in Bahia since 2017 (D. rotundus' antigenic variant, AgV3) and in Rio de Janeiro since 2019 (AgV3). Besides confirming suitable habitat for this primate in the northeast and the east coast of Brazil, our Maximum Entropy model also predicted suitable habitat on the north and the west states of the country but predicted low habitat suitability among inland municipalities of the Caatinga biome reporting rabies. Our findings revealed new areas reporting rabies infecting C. jacchus, highlighting the need to implement strategies limiting spillover to humans and to better understand the drivers of C. jacchus rabies dynamics.

Description of human anti-rabies post-exposure prophylaxis care notifications in Brazil, 2014-2019 / Descripción de notificaciones de atención antirrábica humana para la profilaxis posexposición en Brasil, 2014-2019 / Descrição das notificações de atendimento antirrábico humano para profilaxia pós-exposição no Brasil, 2014-2019

Objective: To analyze human anti-rabies post-exposure prophylaxis notifications in Brazil. Methods: This was a descriptive study of human anti-rabies post-exposure prophylaxis care notified on the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System in Brazil between 2014 and 2019. Results: A total of 4,033,098 anti-rabies medical consultations were notified, averaging 672,183 a year. Percentage care was higher among males (n=2,111,369; 52.4%), those under 19 years old (n=1,423,433; 35.3%), living in urban areas (n=3,386,589; 88.1%), attacked by dogs (n=3,281,190; 81.5%) and bitten (n=3,575,717; 81.9%), mainly on the hands and feet (n=1,541,201; 35.3%). The most frequent prophylactic procedure was observation plus vaccination (n=1,736,036; 44.2%). Prophylactic procedure was appropriate in 57.8% (n=2,169,689) of cases and inappropriate in 42.2% (n=1,582,411) of cases. Conclusion: Although there were appropriate prophylactic procedures, we also found procedures that were inappropriate and which, when insufficient, can result in cases of human rabies and, when unnecessary, can result in waste, including shortage of immunobiological products

Objetivo: Analizar la atención antirrábica humana de profilaxis post exposición en Brasil, de 2014 a 2019. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de la atención antirrábica humana de profilaxis post exposición, notificados en el Sistema de Información de Agravamientos de Notificación en Brasil, de 2014 a 2019. Resultados: Se notificaron 4.033.098 atendimientos antirrábicos, con un promedio de 672.183 al año. Hubo mayor porcentual de atención a personas del sexo masculino (n=2.111.369; 52,4%), menores de 19 años (n=1.423.433; 35,3%), residentes en área urbana (n=3.386.589; 88,1%), agredidas por perros (n=3.281.190; 81,5%) y con mordidas (n=3.575.717; 81,9%), principalmente en las manos y pies (n=1.541.201; 35,3%). La conducta profiláctica más frecuente fue la observación y vacuna (n=1.736.036; 44,2%). La conducta profiláctica fue adecuada en 57,8% (n=2.169.689) e inadecuada en 42,2% (n=1.582.411) de los casos. Conclusión: A pesar de las conductas profilácticas adecuadas, se observaron indicaciones inadecuadas que, cuando insuficientes, pueden resultar en casos de rabia humana y, cuando desnecesarias, desperdicios, incluso desabastecimiento de inmunobiológicos.

Objetivo: Analisar os atendimentos antirrábicos humanos de profilaxia pós-exposição no Brasil. Métodos: Estudo descritivo dos atendimentos antirrábicos humanos de profilaxia pós-exposição notificados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação no Brasil, de 2014 a 2019. Resultados: Foram notificados 4.033.098 atendimentos antirrábicos, com média de 672.183 ao ano. Houve maior percentual de atendimentos em pessoas do sexo masculino (n=2.111.369; 52,4%), menores de 19 anos de idade (n=1.423.433; 35,3%), residentes em área urbana (n=3.386.589; 88,1%), agredidas por cães (n=3.281.190; 81,5%) e com mordeduras (n=3.575.717; 81,9%), principalmente em mãos e pés (n=1.541.201; 35,3%). A conduta profilática mais frequente foi observação e vacina (n=1.736.036; 44,2%). A conduta profilática foi adequada em 57,8% (n=2.169.689) e inadequada em 42,2% (n=1.582.411) dos casos. Conclusão: Apesar das condutas profiláticas adequadas, foram observadas indicações inadequadas que, quando insuficientes, podem acarretar casos de raiva humana e, quando desnecessárias, desperdícios, inclusive desabastecimento de imunobiológicos.

Descrição das notificações de atendimento antirrábico humano para profilaxia pós-exposição no Brasil, 2014-2019 / Descripción de notificaciones de atención antirrábica humana para la profilaxis post-exposición en Brasil, 2014-2019 / Description of human anti-rabies post-exposure prophylaxis care notifications in Brazil, 2014-2019

Objetivo: Analisar os atendimentos antirrábicos humanos de profilaxia pós-exposição no Brasil. Métodos: Estudo descritivo utilizando dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação no Brasil, de 2014 a 2019. Resultados: Foram notificados 4.033.098 atendimentos antirrábicos, com média de 672.183 ao ano. Houve maior percentual de atendimentos em pessoas do sexo masculino (n = 2.111.369; 52,4%), menores de 19 anos de idade (n = 1.423.433; 35,3%), residentes em área urbana (n = 3.386.589; 88,1%), agredidas por cães (n = 3.281.190; 81,5%) e com mordeduras (n = 3.575.717; 81,9%), principalmente em mãos e pés (n = 1.541.201; 35,3%). A conduta profilática mais frequente foi observação e vacina (n = 1.736.036; 44,2%). A conduta profilática foi adequada em 57,8% (n = 2.169.689) e inadequada em 42,2% (n = 1.582.411) dos casos. Conclusão: Apesar das condutas profiláticas adequadas, foram observadas indicações inadequadas que, quando insuficientes, podem acarretar casos de raiva humana e, quando desnecessárias, desperdícios, inclusive desabastecimento de imunobiológicos.

Objetivo: Analizar la atención antirrábica humana de profilaxis post exposición en Brasil, de 2014 a 2019. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo utilizando datos del Sistema de Información de Agravamientos de Notificación en Brasil, de 2014 a 2019. Resultados: Se notificaron 4.033.098 atendimientos antirrábicos, con un promedio de 672.183 al año. Hubo mayor porcentual de atención a personas del sexo masculino (n = 2.111.369; 52,4%), menores de 19 años (n = 1.423.433; 35,3%), residentes en área urbana (n = 3.386.589; 88,1%), agredidas por perros (n = 3.281.190; 81,5%) y con mordidas (n = 3.575.717; 81,9%), principalmente en las manos y pies (n = 1.541.201; 35,3%). La conducta profiláctica más frecuente fue la observación y vacuna (n = 1.736.036; 44,2%). La conducta profiláctica fue adecuada en 57,8% (n = 2.169.689) e inadecuada en 42,2% (n = 1.582.411) de los casos. Conclusión: A pesar de las conductas profilácticas adecuadas, se observaron indicaciones inadecuadas que, cuando insuficientes, pueden resultar en casos de rabia humana y, cuando desnecesarias, desperdicios, incluso desabastecimiento de inmunobiológicos.

Objective: To analyze human anti-rabies post-exposure prophylaxis notifications in Brazil. Methods: This was a descriptive study using data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System in Brazil, from 2014 to 2019. Results: A total of 4,033,098 anti-rabies medical consultations were notified, averaging 672,183 a year. Percentage care was higher among males (n = 2,111,369; 52.4%), those under 19 years old (n = 1,423,433; 35.3%), living in urban areas (n = 3,386,589; 88.1%), attacked by dogs (n = 3,281,190; 81.5%) and bitten (n = 3,575,717; 81.9%), mainly on the hands and feet (n = 1,541,201; 35.3%). The most frequent prophylactic procedure was observation plus vaccination (n = 1,736,036; 44.2%). Prophylactic procedure was appropriate in 57.8% (n = 2,169,689) of cases and inappropriate in 42.2% (n = 1,582,411) of cases. Conclusion: Although there were appropriate prophylactic procedures, we also found procedures that were inappropriate and which, when insufficient, can result in cases of human rabies and, when unnecessary, can result in waste, including shortage of immunobiological products.

Towards the elimination of dog-mediated rabies: development and application of an evidence-based management tool.

BACKGROUND: International organizations advocate for the elimination of dog-mediated rabies, but there is only limited guidance on interpreting surveillance data for managing elimination programmes. With the regional programme in Latin America approaching elimination of dog-mediated rabies, we aimed to develop a tool to evaluate the programme's performance and generate locally-tailored rabies control programme management guidance to overcome remaining obstacles. METHODS: We developed and validated a robust algorithm to classify progress towards rabies elimination within sub-national administrative units, which we applied to surveillance data from Brazil and Mexico. The method combines criteria that are easy to understand, including logistic regression analysis of case detection time series, assessment of rabies virus variants, and of incursion risk. Subjecting the algorithm to robustness testing, we further employed simulated data sub-sampled at differing levels of case detection to assess the algorithm's performance and sensitivity to surveillance quality. RESULTS: Our tool demonstrated clear epidemiological transitions in Mexico and Brazil: most states progressed rapidly towards elimination, but a few regressed due to incursions and control lapses. In 2015, dog-mediated rabies continued to circulate in the poorest states, with foci remaining in only 1 of 32 states in Mexico, and 2 of 27 in Brazil, posing incursion risks to the wider region. The classification tool was robust in determining epidemiological status irrespective of most levels of surveillance quality. In endemic settings, surveillance would need to detect less than 2.5% of all circulating cases to result in misclassification, whereas in settings where incursions become the main source of cases the threshold detection level for correct classification should not be less than 5%. CONCLUSION: Our tool provides guidance on how to progress effectively towards elimination targets and tailor strategies to local epidemiological situations, while revealing insights into rabies dynamics. Post-campaign assessments of dog vaccination coverage in endemic states, and enhanced surveillance to verify and maintain freedom in states threatened by incursions were identified as priorities to catalyze progress towards elimination. Our finding suggests genomic surveillance should become increasingly valuable during the endgame for discriminating circulating variants and pinpointing sources of incursions.

An evaluation of Brazil's surveillance and prophylaxis of canine rabies between 2008 and 2017.

An effective surveillance system is critical for the elimination of canine rabies in Latin America. Brazil has made substantial progress towards canine rabies elimination, but outbreaks still occurred in the last decade in two states. Brazil uses a health information system (SINAN) to record patients seeking post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) following contact with an animal suspected of having rabies. This study evaluated: (i) whether SINAN can be reliably used for rabies surveillance; (ii) if patients in Brazil are receiving appropriate PEP and (iii) the benefits of implementing the latest World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations on PEP. Analysing SINAN records from 2008 to 2017 reveals an average of 506,148 bite-injury patients/year [range: 437k-545k] in the country, equivalent to an incidence of 255 bite-injuries/100,000 people/year [range: 231-280]. The number of reports of bites from suspect rabid dogs generally increased over time. In most states, records from SINAN indicating a suspect rabid dog do not correlate with confirmed dog rabies cases reported to the Regional Information System for Epidemiological Surveillance of Rabies (SIRVERA) maintained by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Analyses showed that in 2017, only 45% of patients received appropriate PEP as indicated by the Brazilian Ministry of Health guidance. Implementation of the latest WHO guidance using an abridged intradermal post-exposure vaccination regimen including one precautionary dose for dog bites prior to observation would reduce the volume of vaccine required by up to 64%, with potential for annual savings of over USD 6 million from reduced vaccine use. Our results highlight the need to improve the implementation of SINAN, including training of health workers responsible for delivering PEP using an Integrated Bite Case Management approach so that SINAN can serve as a reliable surveillance tool for canine rabies elimination.

Situação da raiva no Brasil, 2000 a 2009 / Rabies situation in Brazil, 2000 to 2009

Objetivo: descrever a situação epidemiológica da raiva, bem como, as atividades do Programa Nacional de Profilaxia da Raiva (PNPR) realizadas no Brasil, no período de 2000 a 2009. Metodologia: foi realizada uma análise descritiva dos casos de raiva humana e atendimento antirrábico humano com dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan), da ficha de vigilância epidemiológica nº 7 e de planilhas padronizadas utilizadas pelo PNPR. Resultados: observou-se redução dos casos humanos e caninos e uma mudança no perfil de ocorrência e transmissão, nos últimos cinco anos, com 78,0 por cento dos casos humanos transmitidos por morcegos, além do aumento na detecção de casos em espécies silvestres. Conclusão: a situação atual da raiva no país impõe a necessidade de aprimoramento e manutenção das ações de vigilância voltadas para o ciclo urbano, implementação no ciclo silvestre e reforça a importância da profilaxia humana, visando prevenir ocorrência de casos humanos.

Objective: to describe the epidemiological situation of rabies and the activities of the National Program for Prevention of Human Rabies in Brazil, 2000 to 2009. Methodology: it was realized a descriptive analysis of the human rabies and prophylaxis based on reports of the National System of Reporting (Sinan), Surveillance Epidemiological Report-7 and standard sheets. Results: it was observed reduction of human cases and rabid dogs and changes in the profile, of occurence and transmission in last five years, 78.0 per cent of the human cases were transmitted by bats, and anincrease of reports of rabies in wild animals. Conclusion: the actual rabies situation in this country imposes the necessity to maintain the actions in surveillance directed to urban cycle, implementation in sylvatic cycle reinforce the importance of human rabies prophylaxis aiming to prevent human rabies cases.