Rabies in Ferret Badgers, Southeastern China

Abstract

Ferret badger–associated human rabies cases emerged in China in 1994. We used a retrospective epidemiologic survey, virus isolation, laboratory diagnosis, and nucleotide sequencing to document its reemergence in 2002–2008. Whether the cause is spillover from infected dogs or recent host shift and new reservoir establishment requires further investigation.

Keywords

• Rabies
• ferret badgers
• rabies virus
• retrospective epidemiological surveillance
• spillover
• viruses