Spatio-temporal Analysis of Animal Rabies Cases in Negros Occidental, Philippines from 2012 to 2018

Year: 2019       Vol.: 68       No.: 2      

Authors: Joseph L. Arbizo, Philip Ian P. Padilla, Marilyn S. Sumayo, Mitzi N. Meracap, Andrea Marie N. Napulan, Rex Victor V. Dolorosa, Princess Monic Q. Velasco, Leslie S. Asorio, Thea Joy A. Clarito, James Matthew V. Recabar, Sael D. Rodriguez

Abstract:

Rabies is a dangerous and deadly zoonotic disease that infects domestic and wild animals and is transmissible to humans. Animal rabies, particularly of canine and feline type, is considered to be a serious threat to public health. Thus, all prevention and control efforts to reduce the cases of human rabies are stemming from the identification of high-risk communities where presence of canine or feline rabies cases are prevalent. Having recorded the highest number of cases in recent years, this research utilized the spatiotemporal analysis of animal rabies cases in Negros Occidental, Western Visayas, Philippines. The hotspot analysis was based on Getis-Ord-Gi* statistic to estimate statistically significant hotspots of animal rabies cases in the province. Mean center and standard deviational ellipse were performed to identify the epicenter, dispersion, and yearly directional trends of animal rabies cases. The emerging hotspot analysis based on the Getis-Ord-Gi* and Mann- Kendall statistics was performed to identify statistically significant clusters with significant temporal trend. Spatial analysis identified the major cities such as Bacolod City and Bago City and their surrounding cities and municipalities to be of high risk to animal rabies cases from 2012 to 2018. The epicenter of cases is slowly shifting from the northern part in earlier years towards the central part of the province in recent years. Twenty-six (26) space-time clusters of animal rabies cases in Negros Occidental were found to have “intensifying”, “consecutive”, “oscillating”, and “sporadic” time trends. Two clusters classified as “new” hotspots were identified in the central part of the province. Results presented in this study could be of service for rabies cases surveillance, and in developing care and prevention programs for rabies control.

Keywords: animal rabies, spatio-temporal analysis, zoonosis, rhabodoviruses

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