The outbreaks and surveillance of animal rabies in Gangwon-do

Although human rabies deaths are rare, the disease remains a public health problem in Korea. Here we report the outbreaks and surveillance of animal rabies in Gangwon-do. Animal rabies infections were identified in 119 animals from 1993 to 2003. The $78\%$ of all rabid animals were domestic species in Gangwon-do. Wild Korean raccoon dog (N. p. koreensis) continued to be the only reported rabid wildlife species. Outbreaks of rabies infections in Korean raccoon dogs are found in broad geographic regions across the northern Gangwon-do. The principal rabies hosts today are probably wild animals in Gangwon-do. The malaise, cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, agitation and abnormal behavior of the animals were the important symptoms of the disease. The Encephalitis, infiltration with lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes and the inclusion bodies (Negri bodies) in neuronal cells were the specific histopathological signs. The results of indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA) for animal rabies diagnosis were identical and the technique was useful to diagnose the disease. Preexposure vaccination is recommended for persons in high-risk groups, such as laboratory workers, veterinarians and certain animal handlers.