Report of rabies in feedlot cattle introduced to Baja California from the state of Guerrero, Mexico

Abstract

Rabies is a fatal infection of the central nervous system produced by a Lyssavirus of the family Rhabdoviridae. The virus is distributed worldwide and is primarily transmitted by rabid animal bites, with multiple reservoirs depending on the region. The vampire bat Desmodus rotundus is distributed in several states of Mexico and is considered the main vector of rabies in cattle. In the state of Baja California, no cases of paralytic rabies have been reported. In this work, we report the first three cases of rabies in feedlot cattle showing nervous signs, which were later confirmed in a reference laboratory by immunofluorescent analysis. Considering that the majority of feedlot cattle are introduced to Baja California from other states of Mexico where rabies is considered endemic, it is necessary to strengthen current programs of vaccination to reduce the rate of infected animals in their places of origin to avoid the spread of rabies to other geographic areas of the country.