Study of the Prevalence of Animal Rabies in Guinea During the Year 2022

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of rabies in dogs and other domestic animals, including two sheep, using data collected from the regional veterinary laboratories in Labé, Kankan, and Nzérékoré. In total, 44 samples were submitted to these veterinary laboratories and analyzed using the direct immunofluorescence assay method. This technique is the standard diagnostic procedure recommended for rabies by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). The results of the testing revealed a high prevalence of rabies, estimated at 84.09%, with 37 out of the 44 samples testing positive for the disease. Rabies is commonly associated with dogs, which are well-known carriers of the virus. However, it is important to recognize that rabid dogs can transmit the disease to a wide range of mammals through bites, scratches, and other forms of contact. Consequently, farm animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and other domestic species are also at risk. Once these animals are bitten by a rabid dog, they can contract the disease and, in many cases, succumb to its effects. This underscores the importance of monitoring and controlling rabies not only in dogs but also in other animals that might be exposed to this fatal disease. Another major piece of information is that only animals that showed signs of rabies and were slaughtered for this purpose or died naturally were analyzed.