Importance of Diagnosis of Rabies in the control of disease in Chile
Public Health Institute is the national reference center for the diagnosis of rabies, with records dating from 1929. The recorded information has allowed us to verify the change in the epidemiological situation through the years and the impact of programs to control this disease. 
domestic animal rabies was endemic between 1950 and 1960, the implementation of Agenda Control and Prevention of rabies in the country managed to reduce this disease, by reducing the dog population, mass immunization of dogs and increased coverage diagnosis of rabies. Since 1962, there was a drastic decrease in rabies cases were detected human cases transmitted by dogs until 1972. The importance of wild animals in the transmission of rabies was recognized in 1985 when first detected rabies in insectivorous bats Tadarida brasiliensis species. The recognition of bats as a reservoir of the disease led to expanded surveillance actions towards these species. Since then, the epidemiological pattern of rabies is characterized by endemic in bats (bats). The importance of this new epidemiological situation reaches its greatest importance in the years 1996 to report the first case of human rabies transmitted by bats in a seven-year-old with no history of bite or exposure to the virus, the identification of both antigenic as genetics showed that the infection was caused by option 4 for bat. Background
Rabies is a serious zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution, which affects the central nervous system whose agent is an RNA virus of the family Rabdoviridae included in the genus Lyssavirus, including rabies virus and other viruses that can cause rare pictures encephalitis and paralysis.
The virus has two antigens, one external, glyco-protein, responsible for neutralizing antibodies and an internal core-protein, specific group, which produces antibodies useful in the diagnosis of rabies without protection functions. The route of transmission may be direct (bites, licks, scratches produced by the infected animal) or indirect (inhalation aerosol and even organ transplants of sick individuals).
samples received at the Institute of Public Health for rabies diagnosis from: biting animals that die within the observation period of 10 days, suspect animals slaughtered by health authority's decision, and a surveillance system of bats and other susceptible wildlife.
rabies diagnosis is made by direct immunofluorescent technique has high sensitivity and specificity, the results are delivered within 48 hours, which has allowed the focus control and epidemiological measures are taken in the form timely. Addition virus isolation is performed to identify variant rabies virus by antigenic and genetic characterization.
samples results
The control of rabies in domestic animals has become evident that the presence of wild virus cycles in geographical areas where it previously passed unnoticed, the last case of canine rabies variant identified as detected in a dog in 1990, indicating that the canine variant is circulating in the country. After that date there was an average of 63 cases of rabies in bats, and sporadic cases in domestic animals viral identification as established that the source of infection was up to bat.
The number of animal rabies cases from 1990 through the first half of 2010 shows significant fluctuations peaking in 2002 with 111 cases followed by the years 2006 and 2005 with 110 and 103 cases respectively. According to the geographical distribution of cases, these were recorded in almost all regions of the country, and no samples were found positive for rabies virus in regions II, XI and XV (Figure 1).
In conducting the analysis of positive rabies cases by species affected, we see that last case of human rabies was reported in 1996 and the last case of rabies in domestic animals reported in 2007 occurred in both cases the variant viral isolates were from bats (Figure 2).
is important to note that from 1991 onwards, the positive cases detected correspond entirely insectivorous bat variant. Conclusion
The epidemiological situation of rabies in Chile is characteristic of countries that have achieved success in their programs of disease control and is mainly composed of: rabies in dogs and cats under control and wild reservoir able active contact and infect domestic animals, but with a smaller capacity virus epidemic.
The correct and early identification of variant involved has allowed the definition of the epidemiological picture that result in the implementation of surveillance and control measures.
Although the Rabies Control Program includes avoiding contact with bats and to report any suspect mammal, and the removal of bat colonies with positive specimens, it is necessary to maintain a program aimed at educating population and also create awareness regarding responsible ownership domestic animals. References
1.-Favi M, de Mattos CA, Yung V, Chala E, Lopez LR, de Mattos CC. First case of human rabies in Chile Caused by an insectivorous bat virus variant. Emerg Infect Dis. 2002 Jan; 8 (1) :79-81. 2.-Favi
M, Yung V, Pavletic C, Ramirez E, De Mattos C, De Mattos C. Role of insectivorous bats in the transmission of rabies in Chile. Archives of Veterinary Medicine, 1999 31:157-65. 3.-Favi
C, Myriam, Rodriguez A, Luis, Espinosa M, Carla And Yung P, Veronica. Rabies in Chile: 1989-2005. Chilean Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2008, Vol 25, no. 4.-2
S. Plotkin Rabies. Clin. Infect Dis. 2000 Jan; 30 (1): 4-12.
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