The Landscape and Demographic Features Associated with Ferret Badger Rabies in Taiwan East Area

Abstract

This study evaluated landscape characteristics associated with the incidence of ferret badger (Melogale moschata) rabies in the East Epidemic Area, Taiwan, where the disease has been endemic from 2013 till date. This study included 268 cases of ferret badger rabies reported from 59 townships during 2013-2016. A multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that for townships with elevation between 0 and 200 m, or between 201 and 600 m, the estimated probability of the incidence of ferret badger rabies for each township increases with the rise of forest area. For townships with elevation higher than 600 m, the association is negative, a fact reflected by the interaction effect between variables of forest and elevation fitted in the model. This model provided by the combination of different land use types, human population density and elevation measures of townships, may be used in estimating the incidence probability of prioritizing areas for ferret badger rabies control on oral vaccination.