SEASONALITY OF ANIMAL RABIES IN THE BELGOROD OBLAST
Data on seasonal variations in the incidence of animal rabies in the Belgorod Oblast are presented in the study for the period from 1954 to 2019. It was found that mixed-type rabies prevailed in the region. In this time period, animal rabies was recorded throughout the whole year, but there was a significant increase in the number of cases in autumn and in winter. In autumn, there were 1,746 rabies cases, which accounted for 33.57 % of the total number of sick animals (5,201 cases), in winter - 1,521 cases (29.24%). In summer, there was a noticeable decline in the incidence - 846 cases (16.27%) and 1,088 cases were reported (20.92 %) in spring. The rabies incidence in animals began to increase from January and remained at a fairly high level until March, then decreased in April, May, June, July. The next rise in incidence was observed in August. Thus, rabies demonstrated seasonal cycles in autumn, winter and spring. A significant increase in the number of cases of animal rabies was observed in autumn and winter, and the peak incidence was reported in December. The correlation between season and rabies incidence was established in foxes, domestic carnivores (dogs, cats) and cattle, proving that these animal species are in close contact in the wild and there is a high probability of rabies transmission. Thus, animal rabies in the Belgorod Oblast is registered throughout the whole year with an increase in the incidence in March - April and October - February. At the same time, rabies seasonality largely overlaps in agricultural and wild carnivores. It was noted that the repeated outbreaks were linked to certain regions of the Oblast (Alekseevsky, Belgorod Valuysky, Volokonovsky, Krasnogvardeysky and Rovensky), which is probably explained by high density of fox population.