Identification of New Rabies Virus Variant in Mexican Immigrant

Abstract

A novel rabies virus was identified after death in a man who had immigrated from Oaxaca, Mexico, to California, USA. Despite the patient’s history of exposure to domestic and wild carnivores, molecular and phylogenetic characterizations suggested that the virus originated from insectivorous bats. Enhanced surveillance is needed to elucidate likely reservoirs.

Keywords

• rabies
• rabies virus
• lyssavirus
• encephalitis
• phylogenetics
• emerging viral diseases