Introduction and establishment of raccoon rabies on islands: Jekyll Island, GA as a case study

The introduction of rabies to rabies-free barrier islands is a high concern because once introduced, rabies can become endemic requiring expensive and labor-intensive management. In Georgia, where raccoons are the major... [ view full abstract ]

The introduction of rabies to rabies-free barrier islands is a high concern because once introduced, rabies can become endemic requiring expensive and labor-intensive management. In Georgia, where raccoons are the major terrestrial rabies vector, most epidemiological data comes from the mainland, with little information on introduction and transmission dynamics on barrier islands. Barrier islands are highly susceptible to rabies becoming endemic due to dense raccoon (Procyon lotor) populations, high inter-and-intra-species contact rates, resource-rich marshland, and on Jekyll Island (JI), feeding stations intended for managed free-ranging cats. In January 2013, a raccoon displaying neurologic signs was found on the causeway that connects JI with the mainland. Direct fluorescent antibody (FA) testing of brain tissue was positive for rabies and negative for canine distemper virus (CDV). This raccoon is the first confirmed case of rabies on JI. Since that diagnosis, a total of 23 raccoons have been submitted for mortality determination. Rabies and CDV were the two major causes of death, 30% and 35%, respectively. Parvoviral enteritis and intestinal trematodiasis accounted for 9% each, and other reasons for the remaining 17%. There was no evidence of rabies, CDV or parvovirus coinfections. There was no evidence of seasonality for rabies cases, but all CDV cases were submitted between late-April and mid-October. All rabies cases were adults. Adult females compose 88% of CDV cases. Most (57%) rabies submissions came from urban/public use areas near cat feeding stations. Jekyll is a popular tourist destination and state park with dense urbanization on two areas. Tourism centered on outdoors activities increases the probability of people interacting with wildlife. The emergence and sustained transmission of rabies on JI highlights the importance of rabies surveillance, prevention and control on islands. The recent confirmation of rabies should spur public awareness to minimize human and domestic animal interactions with raccoons.