RAIVA COMO UMA RESPONSABILIDADE PÚBLICA

Animal rabies, caused by a virus from the Rhabdoviridae family, Lyssavirus genus, is a fatal disease that affects mammals. Transmitted by the saliva of infected animals through bites or licks on mucous membranes or wounds, it poses a serious risk to humans. In Brazil, felines and canines are the main sources of infection in urban areas, however, in the state of São Paulo, since 1998, all cases have been attributed to bat variants, after the last case of canine rabies. Although cases of rabies in dogs and cats are sporadic, 15 dogs and 22 cats were laboratory diagnosed with the disease between 2002 and August 2023. The last human case of canine rabies in São Paulo was in 1997. Rabies remains a challenge global public health issue, with its lethal potential and the high number of people in need of post-exposure treatments. The lack of commitment from owners to vaccination and the cancellation of animal vaccination campaigns provided by the City of São Paulo increased concerns.