Rabies out-break in mules at Mansehra, Pakistan

An unusual sickness in mules at Batrasi camp, District Mansehra, Pakistan, was reported. Twelve animals died with in 2-3 days after showing the clinical symptoms confusing with colic and nervous disorders. Animals did not respond to any treatment. A team of veterinary doctors/researchers from institute visited the place and collected the samples and information in all aspects related to any disease occurrence on epidemiological basis. Animals were also showing symptoms confusing with rabies. Brain samples were collected for rabies testing. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) by amplifying N region gene and mouse inoculation test (MIT) were performed and results showed that disease was nothing except rabies and RT-PCR is the rapid and sensitive method for diagnosis of rabies virus as compared to other conventional methods of diagnosis. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.