IMPACTS OF RABIES ON WILDLIFE THROUGH A ONE HEALTH APPROACH

Rabies is one of the oldest zoonosis known by humankind, however, it is still neglected. As the control of rabies in dogs improved in several regions of the world, wildlife populations have been assuming a larger role in the disease cycle. The present study aims to understand the implications of rabies in wild animal populations and to collect data about the causes of vulnerability, introductions of the disease in these populations and the consequences of it from a conservation and One Health perspective. A research was carried out approaching epidemiological aspects and historical records of reports of rabies on wild animals, as well as One Health approaches through a survey of scientific materials available on online platforms. Search terms used were “rabies”, “wildlife”, “threat”, “extinction”, “conservation medicine” and “one health”. The virus persists in a population through several mechanisms. It can benefit from the host’s natural behavior or induce behavior that favors the spread of the virus. Infectious diseases can often have a negative impact on threatened wild animals and rabies has already led to major declines in, at least, two threatened wild canid species in Africa. Due to insufficient surveillance, the real situation of the disease in wildlife may be underestimated. Understanding rabies in wildlife is necessary to the comprehension of the disease’s impact on these populations and in human and domestic animal health. Rabies have been associated with population losses in threatened species, and as a complex dynamic disease, the control must be discussed by an One Health approach, that acknowledges that the health of humans, animals and environment are connected and interdependent and, therefore, integrates the welfare and conservation of wildlife.