Perceptions and Barriers Regarding Rabies in Cats in the Americas: An Approach From the One Health Perspective.

INTRODUCTION: Rabies in cats is an emerging and underrecognised zoonotic threat across the Americas and is becoming increasingly important as the degree of dog-mediated transmission decreases. Cats increasingly serve as incidental hosts and potential transmission bridges between wildlife reservoirs and humans; however, most national programs still exclude them from systematic surveillance and vaccination. This study explored regional perceptions, knowledge gaps and operational barriers related to rabies among cats from a One Health perspective.

METHODS: A bilingual online survey was distributed between July and November 2025 to professionals working in animal health, public health, epidemiology and rabies control.

RESULTS: A total of 171 respondents from 22 countries, predominantly across the Americas, were included. Most participants (81%) identified rabies in cats as an emerging issue that requires greater regional attention. Key knowledge gaps include gaps in vaccination coverage and effectiveness, epidemiological surveillance and understanding of transmission dynamics. The major barriers were low public awareness, inconsistent reporting systems and the absence of feline-specific policies. Intervention priorities emphasised public education campaigns, improved feline vaccination coverage, expanded sterilisation programs to reduce population turnover and strengthened collaboration between the veterinary and public health sectors. Qualitative insights highlight the need to integrate cats into national rabies programs, standardise diagnostic protocols and address the social and ecological drivers of free-roaming cat populations.

CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the urgency of multisectoral approaches and policy harmonisation to advance sustainable rabies prevention in the Americas.