Re-emergence of animal rabies in northern Greece and subsequent human exposure, October 2012 - March 2013

Euro Surveill. 2013 May 2;18(18):20474.

Abstract

Greece has been rabies-free since 1987 with no human cases since 1970. During 2012 to 2013, rabies has re-emerged in wild and domestic animals in northern Greece. By end March 2013, rabies was diagnosed in 17 animals including 14 red foxes, two shepherd dogs and one cat; 104 subsequent human exposures required post-exposure prophylaxis according to the World Health Organization criteria. Human exposures occurred within 50 km radius of a confirmed rabies case in a wild or domestic animal, and most frequently stray dogs were involved.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic
  • Animals, Wild
  • Cat Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Cat Diseases / transmission
  • Cat Diseases / virology
  • Cats
  • Child
  • Contact Tracing
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Dog Diseases / transmission
  • Dog Diseases / virology
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Foxes / virology
  • Greece / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Post-Exposure Prophylaxis*
  • Rabies / epidemiology*
  • Rabies / etiology
  • Rabies / transmission
  • Rabies / veterinary
  • Rabies Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Rabies virus / immunology
  • Rabies virus / isolation & purification
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Rabies Vaccines