@article{fdi:010088635,
  title = {{P}revalence and public health significance of rabies virus in bats in the {N}orth {R}egion of {C}ameroon},
  author = {{D}ah, {I}. and {N}amegni, {R}. {S}. and {M}ouliom, {M}. {M}. and {J}umbo, {S}. and {N}oumedem, {R}. {N}. {G}. and {C}onclois, {I}sabelle and {F}lorian, {L}. and {G}od-{Y}ang, {L}. and {K}ameni, {J}. {M}. {F}. and {W}ade, {A}. and {M}iss{\'e}, {D}oroth{\'e}e and {A}wah-{N}dukum, {J}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{B}ackground {R}abies is a zoonotic disease of all warm-blooded animals including humans. {T}here is a paucity of data on the status of rabies in wild animals in {C}ameroon and the disease is endemic in the country with dogs being the main source of transmission. {B}at habitats are widespread in {C}ameroon, but there is limited information on the prevalence of rabies in bats, and their role of as potential reservoirs of rabies virus. {M}ethods {A} cross sectional study was carried out to estimate the prevalence and to assess risk factors of rabies virus in bats in the {N}orth {R}egion of {C}ameroon. {A} total of 212 bats belonging to three families ({P}teropodidae, {V}espertilionidae and {M}olossidae) and 5 species were sampled in 7 localities in the {N}orth {R}egion of {C}ameroon and were tested for rabies virus antigen using direct {I}mmunofluorescence {T}est ({IFA}).{R}esults {O}verall, 26.9% (57/212) of the bats collected showed an {IFA} positive reaction. {T}he prevalence was significantly higher ({P}<0.05) in adult bats (33.3% (36/108)) compared to young individuals (20.2%; 21/104). {T}he main risk factors identified in the study for human exposure to bats were gender ({M}ale), religion ({C}hristianity), localities ({B}abla and {L}agdo), the practice of bat hunting, bat consumption, unawareness of bat rabies and cohabitation with bats in close proximity.{C}onclusion {T}he study revealed the first evidence of {L}yssavirus in bats in {C}ameroon. {T}his finding showed that bat rabies are real and represents a potential public health concern in communities with bat habitats in the {N}orth {R}egion of {C}ameroon. {E}nhancing the level of public awareness and health education on the potential of bats as reservoirs of {L}yssavirus in {C}ameroon as well as the integration of the "{O}ne {H}ealth" approach for effective management of animal and human rabies should be emphasized.},
  keywords = {{CAMEROUN}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{PL}o{S} {N}eglected {T}ropical {D}iseases},
  volume = {17},
  numero = {10},
  pages = {e0010803 [15 p.]},
  ISSN = {1935-2735},
  year = {2023},
  DOI = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0010803},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010088635},
}