Bat-associated Rabies Virus in Skunks

Abstract

Rabies was undetected in terrestrial wildlife of northern Arizona until 2001, when rabies was diagnosed in 19 rabid skunks in Flagstaff. Laboratory analyses showed causative rabies viruses associated with bats, which indicated cross-species transmission of unprecedented magnitude. Public health infrastructure must be maintained to address emerging zoonotic diseases.

Keywords

• Rabies
• surveillance
• bat
• skunk
• molecular epidemiology
• wildlife reservoirs