A molecular epidemiological study of rabies epizootics in kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) in Namibia.

Background: A panel of 37 rabies virus isolates were collected and studied, originating mainly from the northern and central regions of Namibia, between 1980 and 2003.

Results: These virus isolates demonstrated a high degree of genetic similarity with respect to a 400 bp region of the nucleoprotein gene, with the virus isolates originating from kudu antelope (n = 10) sharing 97.2-100% similarity with jackal isolates, and 97-100% similarity with those isolated from domestic dogs.