Rabies Virus Detection and Phylogenetic Studies in Samples from an Exhumed Human

Abstract

SIR—The existence of rabid bats or other wild animals in urban areas represents a risk for rabies infection for humans and domestic animals [1]. In addition, isolation of rabies viruses reveals that it is common and present in the bat population. Since 1998, a total of 129 cases of human rabies have been reported in Brazil, 9.3% of which were caused by rabies virus strains associated with bats, with an increase in the rate of 17.6% in the past year.