Abstract

ARSENIO DE FONTES-PEREIRA, A.M et al. Rabies in an African civet (Civettictis civetta) in Huambo province, Angola. Rev Salud Anim. [online]. 2012, vol.34, n.3, pp.196-199. ISSN 0253-570X.

Rabies is a widespread zoonosis, little reported, and, for lack of an opportune treatment, fatal in 100% of cases, either in man or animal. Although the dog is considered the main reservoir of transmission in the urban cycle, it is necessary to investigate the natural reservoirs of the virus to guarantee the control of the disease. In this paper, a case of rabies in an African Civet (Civettictis civetta) is reported for the first time in Huambo province. The case was detected in Raimundo neighborhood, in the district administration Commander Xavier Samacau, Huambo municipality. The animal showed an aggressive behavior biting people and inanimate objects in its path. A woman and a three year old girl were injured. It was captured, slaughtered and sent to the Veterinary Service Institute, where brain samples were tested for the presence of lyssavirus antigen using the fluorescent antibody test with positive results. The clinical behavior of this animal, characterized by a high aggression in attacking inanimate objects and humans and the positive diagnosis by immunofluorescence allowed establishing the diagnosis of rabies.

Keywords : African civet; rabies virus.

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