Abstract

GARCIA GONZALEZ, Gloria; DIEGUEZ FERNANDEZ, Lorenzo; ALDANA ARIAS, Francisco  and  ALONSO BRAVO, Luisa. Bioecology and control strategies for mongoose (herpestes auropunctatus auropunctatus): as a major rabies reservoir in Cuba. AMC [online]. 2006, vol.10, n.1, pp.142-154. ISSN 1025-0255.

Background: Zoonotic diseases have a relevant incidence in human health, Herpestes auropunctatus auropunctatus, commonly know as mongoose, yet wrongly named ferret, is one of the major rabies reservoirs in Cuba. According to some sources, it was brought to Cuba with the aim of controlling a pest of rats. Unlike other countries, Cuba has rabies surveillance program in which full case reports play an important role. Though the numbers of case is relatively low, it is known the rabies-caused death rate is relatively high, and so are the phychic and emotional impact, the suffering and the anxiety on the part of the bitten patient who is in fear of getting such disease. Not to mention the severe economic damage resulting from long hours antirabies treatment plus the rodent control costs. Regrettably though, not much information is available on the bioecology of H. auropunctatus auropunctatus as regards our milieu. And that is essential when it comes to designing and implementing proper central strategies. On account of what we have thus for remarked, we felt motivated to review the literature on the subject, to which we added a 20 years field work experience in dealing with the major rabies reservoir in our country. We hope to further the current knowledge in risk assessment and to promote public awareness and prevention programs.

Keywords : MOGOOSES; RABIES; RODENT CONTROL; ZOONOSES; EPIDEMIOLOGY.

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