Serological evidence of infection of dogs and man in Nigeria by lyssaviruses (family Rhabdoviridae)

Abstract

A survey was conducted for serum neutralizing antibodies against 3 members of the Lyssavirus group (rabies, Lagos bat and Mokola viruses) in Nigerian dogs and humans. Of 463 unvaccinated dogs sampled, 142 (30.7%) had antibodies against rabies; 39.2% of the stray dogs were positive. Of 241 dogs tested, 17.4% had antibodies against Mokola virus and 5.8% against Lagos bat virus. 28.6% of human samples tested had antibodies against rabies and, of 158 human samples tested, 12 (7.5%) had antibodies against Mokola virus and 4 (2.5%) had antibodies against Lagos bat virus.