Epidemiology and diagnosis of rabies in Greece.

During the decade 1951-1960, 8626 rabies cases were reported among domestic animals in Greece and 53 deaths in humans. During the decades 1961-1970, 1971-1980 cases were reduced to 3009 and 242, respectively, while no more cases in man occurred since 1970. Vaccination campaigns of dogs, besides the low prevalence of rabies among wild animals, resulted in its eradication from the country. Immunofluorescence is the method used for diagnosis.