History of Rabies in Ecuador

Different mammals have been present in the Ecuadorian pre-Columbian territories for millennia. Today, they are still represented in vessels used in cultural activities. The contemporary situation of rabies in Ecuador is related to the socio-political and economic development of the country and the state. The first documented outbreak of rabies happened around 1942. Amazon rabies outbreaks reports have been available only since the twenty-first century. As for biologics, the National Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine produced hyperimmune and anti-rabies serum from 1978 to 2013. Since then, all products have come from foreign laboratories. Epidemiological studies focus mainly on humans and domestic livestock, dogs, and cats in urban or peri-urban areas. In 1996, Ecuador recorded a rabies outbreak with at least 1700 dogs and 75 humans. The last urban rabies notified death happened in 2001, transmitted by a dog. The most recent outbreaks happened in sylvatic contexts in 2005, 2009, and 2011. So far, the Galapagos Islands remain the only place where the virus has not been detected. The history of rabies in Ecuador shows an occidental biologist bubble approach and neglected attitude against an integrative and collective methodology. In the country, 14 nationalities and at least 18 indigenous cultures coexist.