Determination of freedom-from-rabies for small Indian mongoose populations in the United States Virgin Islands, 2019–2020

Authors

A. Springer Browne, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hannah M. Cranford, US Virgin Islands Department of Health
Clint N. Morgan, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
James A. Ellison, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Are Berentsen, USDA APHIS National Wildlife Research Center
Nicholas Wiese, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Alexandra Medley, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
John Rossow, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Leanne Jankelunas, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Alan S. McKinley, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Claudia D. Lombard, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Nicole F. Angeli, US Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources
Thomas Kelley, US National Park Service
Jennifer Valiulus, St. Croix Environmental Association
Bethany Bradford, US Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture
Valicia J. Burke-France, US Virgin Islands Department of Health
Cosme J. Harrison, US Virgin Islands Department of Health
Irene Guendel, US Virgin Islands Department of Health
Marissa Taylor, US Virgin Islands Department of Health
Gerard L. Blanchard, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Jeffrey B. Doty, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
David J. Worthington, US National Park Service
David Horner, US National Park Service
Keith R. Garcia, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Joseph Roth, US Virgin Islands Department of Health
Brett R. Ellis, US Virgin Islands Department of Health
Kristine M. Bisgard, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Ryan Wallace, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Esther M. Ellis, US Virgin Islands Department of Health

ORCID IDs

A. Springer BrowneI https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0532-3832

Clint N. Morgan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8646-8920

James A. Ellison https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4492-4857

Are Berentsen https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7604-3360

Nicholas Wiese https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8272-4982

Alexandra Medley https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1288-2034

John Rossow https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1288-2034

Leanne Jankelunas https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9556-0921

Nicole F. Angeli https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3890-1413

Jennifer Valiulus https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6626-6109

Valicia J. Burke-France https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2132-6013

Cosme J. Harrison https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6380-2658

Irene Guendel https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1585-7256

Marissa Taylor https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7918-7119

Brett R. Ellis https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6754-3403

Date of this Version

7-1-2021

Citation

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009536

July 15, 2021

Comments

The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication.

Abstract

Mongooses, a nonnative species, are a known reservoir of rabies virus in the Caribbean region. A cross-sectional study of mongooses at 41 field sites on the US Virgin Islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas captured 312 mongooses (32% capture rate). We determined the absence of rabies virus by antigen testing and rabies virus exposure by antibody testing in mongoose populations on all three islands. USVI is the first Caribbean state to determine freedom-from-rabies for its mongoose populations with a scientifically-led robust cross-sectional study. Ongoing surveillance activities will determine if other domestic and wildlife populations in USVI are rabies-free.