02880nas a2200313   4500000000100000008004100001260003700042653002400079653005700103100001000160700002200170700002300192700001900215700003000234700001500264700001400279700001500293700002200308700001100330700001300341700001800354700001400372245010200386856009900488300000900587490000700596520194900603022001402552       2023                            d  bPublic Library of Science (PLoS)10aInfectious Diseases10aPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational Health1 aDah I1 aPoueme Namegni RS1 aMouiche Mouliom MM1 aDickmu Jumbo S1 aNguena Guefack Noumedem R1 aConclois I1 aFlorian L1 aGod-Yang L1 aKameni Feussom JM1 aWade A1 aMissé D1 aAwah-Ndukum J1 aGutema FD00aPrevalence and public health significance of rabies virus in bats in the North Region of Cameroon  uhttps://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0010803&type=printable  a1-150 v173 a<p><strong>Background:</strong> Rabies is a zoonotic disease of all warm-blooded animals including humans. There is a paucity of data on the status of rabies in wild animals in Cameroon and the disease is endemic in the country with dogs being the main source of transmission. Bat habitats are widespread in Cameroon, but there is limited information on the prevalence of rabies in bats, and their role of as potential reservoirs of rabies virus.</p>

<p><strong>Methods:&nbsp;</strong>A cross sectional study was carried out to estimate the prevalence and to assess risk factors of rabies virus in bats in the North Region of Cameroon. A total of 212 bats belonging to three families (Pteropodidae, Vespertilionidae and Molossidae) and 5 species were sampled in 7 localities in the North Region of Cameroon and were tested for rabies virus antigen using direct Immunofluorescence Test (IFA).</p>

<p><strong>Results:</strong> Overall, 26.9% (57/212) of the bats collected showed an IFA positive reaction. The prevalence was significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) in adult bats (33.3% (36/108)) compared to young individuals (20.2%; 21/104). The main risk factors identified in the study for human exposure to bats were gender (Male), religion (Christianity), localities (Babla and Lagdo), the practice of bat hunting, bat consumption, unawareness of bat rabies and cohabitation with bats in close proximity.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The study revealed the first evidence of Lyssavirus in bats in Cameroon. This finding showed that bat rabies are real and represents a potential public health concern in communities with bat habitats in the North Region of Cameroon. Enhancing the level of public awareness and health education on the potential of bats as reservoirs of Lyssavirus in Cameroon as well as the integration of the “One Health” approach for effective management of animal and human rabies should be emphasized.</p>
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