The prevalence of rabies cases in the territory of Azerbaijan, January 2015-June 2016
Authors: Safi Nigar , Asadov Kliment , Zeynalova Shalala K. , Gasanov Eldar , Javadov Natig 
Published: May 2017

Objectiveto show the instability of an epizootic situation on rabies casesof animals in the Republic of Azerbaijan, on the example of thecases analysis in Electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance System(EIDSS) electronic reporting systemIntroductionRabies is an infectious disease which was and remains to be oneof the most serious diseases of all species of hematothermal animalsand humans, in many regions of the world. The epizootic situation onrabies in the Republic of Azerbaijan has been unfavorable for manyyears, which is confirmed by scientific data and the veterinary casesreporting in the EIDSS system. This system was introduced in thecountry in 2009 and is the electronic System of disease control. Theprogram allows to provide monitoring and prevention of diseaseswithin the concept “One World - One Health System” by integrationof systems of observation of animal diseases, human diseases, anddisease carriers.MethodsOn the basis of the data on rabies cases entered in special formsand also aggregative data collected on anti-rabies vaccination, theanalysis of information on quantity of cases and their prevalence onadministrative and territorial units (rayons) of the country is carriedout. The graphical analysis (charts and the map) on the basis ofnecessary criteria are constituted in the analyses module, visualizationof the AVR reporting and in the Microsoft Excel program.ResultsThe analysis of the rabies cases confirmed at the Virologydepartment of the Republican Veterinary Laboratory shows thatrabies has been identified in 36 cases in 2015, 25 cases in January- June, 2016, in total 61 cases has been registered for the periodof “January 2015 – June 2016”. An epizootologically unfavorablesituation is revealed in 27 regions. The most unfavorable situation isthe northwest regions of the country, the most part of which is coveredwith mountainy-forest area with domination of wild fauna. Specificstructure of animals: dogs – 31 cases in 19 areas (51%), cattle – 21cases in 12 areas (34%), a small cattle-1 case (2%), wild animals(specify types) - 8 cases in 8 areas (13%) that is visually shown oncharts 1 and 2. The cattle were bitten by wolves and jackals.ConclusionsThus, prevalence of rabies cases of different species of animalsin the country, once again proves natural and focal character of thedisease: the reservoir of rabies is in the wild nature and geographicalconditions impact the spread of rabies.Cases of rabies in animals are registered annually. In 2015,vaccination captured about 250000 dogs, and 244400 dogs werevaccinated in the first 6 months of 2016. Despite a huge group ofvaccinations, restriction of rabies spread isn’t observed and thetendency is trending to the increase of rabies case indicators amongstthe dogs.It is necessary to pay close attention to preventive vaccination ofdomestic (including non-productive) animals. If materiel resourcesare available, it is possible to carry out the vaccination of the cattlein the territories adjacent to the forests. In the threatened territorieswith woodlands, there is no alternative to oral vaccinations, whichis confirmed by positive experience of many countries. There is anextreme need of carrying out of oral vaccination of wild carnivorousanimals with obligatory control of the immune status.