Περίληψη:
The objectives of this work were (i) geographical analysis of the
2012-2014 outbreak of rabies in Greece using GIS and (ii) comparative
analysis of animal cases with data of potential human exposure to rabies
together with environmental data, in order to provide information for
risk assessment, effective monitoring and control. Most animal cases
(40/48) involved red foxes, while domestic animals were also diagnosed
with rabies. Overall, 80% of the cases were diagnosed in central
northern Greece; 75% of the cases were diagnosed in low altitudes (<
343.5 m), within a distance of 1 km from human settlements. Median
distance from livestock farms was 201.25 m. Most people potentially
exposed to rabies (889/1060) presented with dog bite injuries. Maximum
entropy analysis revealed that distance from farms contributed the
highest percentage in defining environmental niche profiles for rabid
foxes. Oral vaccination programmes were implemented in 24 administrative
units of the country during 2013 and 2014, covering a total surface area
of similar to 60 000 km(2). Rabies re-occurrence in Greece emphasizes
the need for ongoing surveillance in cross-border areas and in areas
with intense human activity.
Συγγραφείς:
Giannakopoulos, A.
Valiakos, G.
Papaspyropoulos, K.
Dougas,
G.
Korou, L. M.
Tasioudi, K. E.
Fthenakis, G. C. and
Hutchings, M. R.
Kaimaras, D.
Tsokana, C. N.
Iliadou, P. and
Spyrou, V.
Tzani, M.
Birtsas, P.
Kostoglou, P.
Sokos, C.
and Doudounakis, S.
Yon, L.
Hannant, D.
Artois, M. and
Tsiodras, S.
Hadjichristodoulou, C.
Billinis, C.
