EXPERIMENTAL RABIES INFECTION IN WILD RODENTS

Abstract

The potential for wild rodents to serve as inapparent rabies reservoirs in nature has not been well evaluated. In this study five species of rodents were inoculated intramuscularly with rabies virus derived from naturally infected wild animals. Inoculated rodents were observed for behavioral changes, and those which died were tested for rabies. Differences in species susceptibility and salivary gland virus tropism were noted and discussed as these factors might affect the epidemiological potential of rabies in wild rodents.