Dr. Albino Belotto from PAHO reported on Rabies Control in South America. He described various PAHO activities including the regional program for the elimination of dog rabies. This has reduced the number of human cases of rabies dramatically in the last decade. The dog is the main transmitter of rabies to man. Since 1991 human and canine cases have reduced proportionately.
Bats continue to be important source of rabies in humans.
Monkeys, skunks and fox are other important sources of human cases. The region is making progress in testing for rabies and developing capabilities for virus characterization. Dr. Miguel Escobar described advances at Merial regarding labeling of oral rabies vaccine, which will enable faster response to requests for vaccine in the Texas programs. Dr Kent VanKampen reported on the development of transdermal recombinant adenovirus vaccines. These eliminate the need for needles and cold chain protection.