TY - JOUR
T1 - Complex Epidemiology of a Zoonotic Disease in a Culturally Diverse Region
T2 - Phylogeography of Rabies Virus in the Middle East
AU - Horton, Daniel L.
AU - McElhinney, Lorraine M.
AU - Freuling, Conrad M.
AU - Marston, Denise A.
AU - Banyard, Ashley C.
AU - Goharrriz, Hooman
AU - Wise, Emma
AU - Breed, Andrew C.
AU - Saturday, Greg
AU - Kolodziejek, Jolanta
AU - Zilahi, Erika
AU - Al-Kobaisi, Muhannad F.
AU - Nowotny, Norbert
AU - Mueller, Thomas
AU - Fooks, Anthony R.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Horton et al.
PY - 2015/3/26
Y1 - 2015/3/26
N2 - The Middle East is a culturally and politically diverse region at the gateway between Europe, Africa and Asia. Spatial dynamics of the fatal zoonotic disease rabies among countries of the Middle East and surrounding regions is poorly understood. An improved understanding of virus distribution is necessary to direct control methods. Previous studies have suggested regular trans-boundary movement, but have been unable to infer direction. Here we address these issues, by investigating the evolution of 183 rabies virus isolates collected from over 20 countries between 1972 and 2014. We have undertaken a discrete phylogeographic analysis on a subset of 139 samples to infer where and when movements of rabies have occurred. We provide evidence for four genetically distinct clades with separate origins currently circulating in the Middle East and surrounding countries. Introductions of these viruses have been followed by regular and multidirectional trans-boundary movements in some parts of the region, but relative isolation in others. There is evidence for minimal regular incursion of rabies from Central and Eastern Asia. These data support current initiatives for regional collaboration that are essential for rabies elimination.
AB - The Middle East is a culturally and politically diverse region at the gateway between Europe, Africa and Asia. Spatial dynamics of the fatal zoonotic disease rabies among countries of the Middle East and surrounding regions is poorly understood. An improved understanding of virus distribution is necessary to direct control methods. Previous studies have suggested regular trans-boundary movement, but have been unable to infer direction. Here we address these issues, by investigating the evolution of 183 rabies virus isolates collected from over 20 countries between 1972 and 2014. We have undertaken a discrete phylogeographic analysis on a subset of 139 samples to infer where and when movements of rabies have occurred. We provide evidence for four genetically distinct clades with separate origins currently circulating in the Middle East and surrounding countries. Introductions of these viruses have been followed by regular and multidirectional trans-boundary movements in some parts of the region, but relative isolation in others. There is evidence for minimal regular incursion of rabies from Central and Eastern Asia. These data support current initiatives for regional collaboration that are essential for rabies elimination.
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U2 - 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003569
DO - 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003569
M3 - Article
C2 - 25811659
AN - SCOPUS:84928782844
SN - 1935-2727
VL - 9
JO - PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
JF - PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
IS - 3
M1 - e0003569
ER -