Molecular characterization of rabies viruses from two western provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2008-2017).

Although rabies is enzootic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, there is very little molecular epidemiological information about the viruses circulating in animals. In this study, a fragment of the rabies virus (RABV) nucleoprotein gene was amplified and sequenced from 21 animal brain samples collected in two western provinces of the country between 2008 and 2017. The samples tested were from cat (n = 1), dog (n = 17), goat (n = 2), and sheep (n = 1).

Peste des petits ruminants viruses of lineages II and III identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Understanding the molecular epidemiology and evolution of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV), the causative agent of Peste des petits ruminants, can assist in the control of the transboundary spread of this economically important disease. To date, despite having been reported in the majority of northern and central African countries, no molecular epidemiological data on PPRVs are available for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This study reports the collection and analysis of 11 samples collected from three provinces of the DRC in 2016 and 2018.