Transmission dynamics of rabies in China over the last 40 years: 1969–2009

BackgroundRabies is a serious reemerging zoonosis in China. The molecular evolution and transmission patterns of rabies virus inferred from historical data can provide guidelines for better disease control and prevention in the future.ObjectivesTo investigate the epidemiology and evolutionary dynamics of the rabies virus in China.Study designThe molecular evolution of 132 viral glycoprotein gene sequences of Chinese rabies viruses collected in 17 provinces and 3 municipalities between 1969 and 2009 was analyzed.ResultsPhylogenetic analysis revealed that Chinese rabies viruses are subdivided into 6 lineages (A–F) within Lyssavirus genotype 1. Lineage A represents the widely dispersed cosmopolitan lineage while lineage B is closely related to Arctic-like rabies viruses. The remaining lineages (C–F) are typical of those circulating across much of Southeast Asia. The evolutionary rate for Chinese rabies virus was 1.532 × 10−4 substitutions per site per year, and the corresponding common ancestor was in about 1115.ConclusionsThe phylogeographic structure demonstrated Chinese rabies viruses have been transmitted intra-provincially and extra-provincially due to human-related activities.