Raiva em bovinos: aspectos clínicos, controle e prevenção

Abstract

ovine rabies is a highly lethal viral zoonotic disease caused by viruses of the Lyssavirus genus, belonging to the Rhabdoviridae family, representing an important sanitary, economic, and public health issue. Transmission occurs mainly through bites from hematophagous bats of the species Desmodus rotundus, considered the main reservoirs and transmitters of the disease in rural areas. This study aimed to conduct a literature review on the epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, preventive, and control aspects of rabies in cattle. The methodology was based on a narrative literature review, including national and international scientific studies retrieved from databases such as SciELO, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate. The results demonstrated that the disease has a high incidence in regions with intense livestock activity and environmental changes that favor contact between bats and cattle herds. Clinically, cattle may present paralytic and furious forms, with progressive neurological signs that rapidly evolve to death. Diagnosis is based on clinical evaluation, epidemiological history, and laboratory tests, especially direct immunofluorescence in brain tissue. The main preventive measures include periodic herd vaccination, epidemiological surveillance, proper sanitary management, and population control of hematophagous bats. It is concluded that the integration between rural producers, veterinarians, and public health agencies is essential to reduce the economic and sanitary impacts of the disease, promoting protection for both animal and human health.