Rabies is listed as one of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Neglected Tropical Diseases Worldwide, with a significant impact in South America. This paper explores the dynamics of rabies cases in humans, pets (dogs and cats), livestock and wildlife (bats in particular) in South America during the period 2009–2018. The data used in this study were derived from the two main databases for rabies in South America: the OIE-WAHIS from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and PANAFTOSA’s Regional Information System for the Epidemiological Surveillance of Rabies (SIRVERA). Being a neglected disease with possible underreporting in some areas, the reported rabies cases may not always represent the real disease burden. The analysis focuses on the evolution of the number of cases in time and their spatial distribution, as well as on the main source of infections in humans, determined by laboratory assays of the antigenic variant or through epidemiological investigations. Additionally, Generalised Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) were used to evaluate the risk factors associated with the occurrence of human cases. Our results show that the highest impact of the disease in terms of number of cases was reported on livestock, while the overall number of cases (in animals and humans) progressively decreased along the study period. The spatial distribution of rabies in livestock showed two main clusters in the north-western (mainly Colombia) and in the south-eastern part of the affected area (Brazil), and a third smaller cluster in Peru. A cluster in dogs was observed in Bolivia. Out of the 192 human cases reported during the study period, 70% of them were transmitted by bats. The number of human cases reported during the study period were significantly associated with the number of rabies cases reported in livestock, pets and wildlife. Despite the overall decreasing case report rate, the disease still represents a major animal and public health concern in South America, and new strategies for compiling systematic information, networking and education are needed, as well as the education and training of veterinary staff.

In a globalised world, accurate, complete and timely notification of the presence of animal diseases plays a crucial role in international trade. It allows countries at risk to take appropriate action to prevent the spread of transboundary diseases or minimise their impact, and thus mitigate the associated risks to animal and public health. In this context, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is responsible for rapidly and transparently sharing accurate and complete information on the global animal health situation. To do so, it collects, verifies, validates and disseminates the animal health information provided by its Members. Information on animal diseases, including zoonoses, is notified to the OIE in compliance with legally binding instruments between the OIE and its Members. Since the creation of the OIE in 1924, the type of animal disease information to be notified and the communication channels for its subsequent distribution to Members have been standardised and improved over time, taking advantage of the available tools and methods of mass dissemination of information. The continuous improvement of the OIE disease notification process has had positive effects, both in terms of animal disease prevention, control and eradication at a global level, and by facilitating the international trade of animals, their products and by-products. En un planeta mundializado, la notificación exacta, completa y puntual de la presencia de enfermedades animales cumple una función básica en el comercio internacional, pues permite a los países expuestos a riesgo adoptar medidas apropiadas para prevenir la propagación de enfermedades transfronterizas o reducir al mínimo sus consecuencias, y con ello mitigar los consiguientes riesgos zoosanitarios y de salud pública. En este ámbito, la Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal (OIE) tiene la responsabilidad de compartir de forma rápida y transparente información exacta y completa sobre la situación zoosanitaria mundial. Para hacerlo reúne, verifica, valida y difunde la información sobre enfermedades animales, incluidas las zoonosis, que le hacen llegar sus Miembros en cumplimiento de los acuerdos jurídicamente vinculantes que la OIE tiene suscritos con ellos. Desde 1924, año de creación de la OIE, se ha ido estandarizando y definiendo cada vez con más precisión el tipo de datos zoosanitarios que se deben notificar y se han ido mejorando los canales de comunicación por los que luego se distribuye esta información a los Miembros, aprovechando los instrumentos y métodos existentes de difusión masiva de información. El perfeccionamiento continuo del proceso de notificación de enfermedades de la OIE ha tenido efectos positivos, por lo que respecta a la vez a prevenir, controlar y erradicar enfermedades animales en el mundo y a facilitar el comercio internacional de animales, productos de origen animal y productos derivados de ellos. Dans un contexte de mondialisation, la notification exacte, complète et rapide de la présence des maladies animales joue un rôle crucial dans les échanges internationaux. Elle permet aux pays vulnérables de prendre les mesures appropriées pour empêcher la propagation des maladies transfrontalières ou pour en minimiser l’impact et atténuer ainsi les risques qu’elles représentent pour la santé animale et la santé publique. Dans ce contexte, l’Organisation mondiale de la santé animale (OIE) est responsable d’assurer un partage rapide et transparent d’informations exactes et complètes sur la situation de la santé animale dans le monde. L’OIE s’acquitte de cette tâche à travers la collecte, la vérification, la validation et la diffusion des informations fournies par les Membres sur leur situation zoosanitaire. L’information sur les maladies animales, zoonoses incluses, est notifiée à l’OIE conformément aux instruments juridiquement contraignants mis en place entre l’OIE et ses Membres. Depuis la création de l’OIE en 1924, tant le type d’informations sanitaires à notifier que les canaux utilisés pour diffuser ces informations aux Membres ont peu à peu fait l’objet d’une normalisation et ont été perfectionnés à la faveur de l’évolution des outils et des méthodes de dissémination de masse de l’information. L’amélioration continue des procédures de notification des maladies à l’OIE a eu des effets positifs tant sur la prévention, le contrôle et l’éradication des maladies animales à l’échelle mondiale que sur la facilitation des échanges internationaux d’animaux et de produits et sousproduits d’origine animale.