In analyzing a recent case in Canada ex Dominican Republic, it is interesting to compare the background of rabies in these two countries. [1-4] While human rabies is clearly more common in the Dominican Republic (graph 1), the incidence of animal rabies is higher in Canada (graph 2).

Skunks and foxes account for over 50% of aminal rabies in Canada, while dogs, mongoose and ruminants account for most cases in the Dominican republic. The number of rabid dogs reported by the two countries has been strikingly similar through much of the past four decades (graph 3).

References:

References:
1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Canada, 2012. 496 pp, 107 graphs, 3130 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-canada/
2. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of the Dominican Republic, 2012. 339 pp, 53 graphs, 1314 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-the-dominican-republic/
3. Berger SA. Rabies: Global Status, 2012. 376 pp, 546 graphs, 1375 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/rabies-global-status/
4. Gideon graph tool at http://www.GIDEONonline.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/Gideon-Graphs.pps

The incidence of animal rabies in the former Yugoslav republics has changed little since th 1990′s, with most cases reported in Croatia [1,2] – see graph:

References:
1. Berger SA. Rabies: Global Status, 2012. 376 pp, 546 graphs, 1375 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/rabies-global-status/
2. Gideon graph tool at http://www.GIDEONonline.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/Gideon-Graphs.pps

Recent sporadic cases of rabies associated with a dog and a cat belie the fact that most animal rabies in Romania involves foxes. [1,2] See graph:

In fact, the incidence of fox rabies in Romania excedes that reported by adjacent countries. [3] See graph:

1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Romania, 2012. 389 pp, 107 graphs, 1349 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-romania/
2. Gideon graph tool at http://www.GIDEONonline.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/Gideon-Graphs.pps
3. Berger SA. Rabies: Global Status, 2012. 376 pp, 546 graphs, 1375 references. Gideon e-book series, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/rabies-global-status/

Note featured on ProMED

The incidence of human rabies in Central America has been decreasing since 1995. [1,2] Rates in El Salvador exceed those of other countries in the region, and are strikingly similar to those reported by Thailand. See graphs [3]:

References:
l. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of El Salvador, 2011. 350 pp, 80 graphs, 883 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-el-salvador/
2. Berger SA. Rabies: Global Status, 2011 publication. 366 pp, 546 graphs, 1056 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/rabies-global-status/
3. Graph tutorial at: http://www.GIDEONonline.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/Gideon-Graphs.pps

An ongoing chronology of cross-border rabies cases reported during 1970 to July 2011 includes 59 cases of human infection, from 20 countries; and 29 importations of rabid animals (27 dogs, 1 horse and 1 cat) from 14 countries. Gideon www.GideonOnline.com The most common countries for human exposure were India and the Philippines (8 cases each), followed by Mexico (6) and Morocco (4). Seven rabid animals originated in Morocco. The case detailed in ProMED is the third to originate in Haiti (the two previous patients also died in the United States), and the thirteenth case of imported rabies in the U.S. since 1983. [1,2]

References:
1. Berger SA. Rabies: Global Status, 2011. 366 pp, 546 graphs, 1056 references. Gideon e-book series, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/rabies-global-status/2. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of the United States, 2011. 1030 pages, 464 graphs, 8237 references, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-the-united-states/

Mexico offers a useful paradigm for the impact of canine rabies control on human disease. The attached graph contrasts reports of dog rabies vs. rates per 100,000 humans in this country. [1,2]

References:
1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Mexico, 2011. 446 pp, 128 graphs, 1655 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-mexico/
2. Berger SA. Rabies: Global Status, 2011. 366 pages, 546 graphs, 1056 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/rabies-global-status/

Although the incidence of rabies has declined somewhat in recent years, disease rates per 100,000 continue to be higher in the Philippines than those of neighboring countries. [1,2] See graph

References:
1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of the Philippines, 2010, 1,131 pp. Gideon e-book series. http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-the-philippines/
2. Berger SA. Rabies: Global Status, 2010, 353 pp. Gideon e-book series.  http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/rabies-global-status/

Reports of two recent cases of in Jalisco underline the fact that rabies is still a problem in this region. Although Mexico has reported 0 to 2 cases yearly since 2000, highest rates in the area are encountered in El Salvador.