Incubation periods and mortality outcomes following rabies virus infection in mesocarnivorous reservoir hosts: implications for experimental design and veterinary policy – a review and meta-analysis

Our findings suggest that, in alignment with the 3Rs principle, existing animal models used in rabies vaccine efficacy research can be reconsidered and potentially refined. These refinements may not only enhance scientific validity but also contribute to ethical improvements in study design. Furthermore, the results may inform future risk assessments related to the importation of pets from rabies-endemic regions and support more humane, evidence-based approaches to vaccine evaluation.