# Possible Factors Concerning the Crossing of Formosan Ferret-Badger Rabies over the Daan River in Miaoli County, Taiwan

## TL;DR

Rabies in Formosan ferret-badgers crossed the Daan River in Taiwan likely due to reduced rainfall, a new weir, and increased animal activity.

## Contribution

Identifies environmental and infrastructural factors enabling rabies spread across a previously natural barrier in Taiwan.

## Key findings

- Decreased rainfall and the Shilin Weir likely allowed FFBs to cross the Daan River.
- Increased roadkill incidents in 2023 suggest heightened FFB activity and movement.
- Rabies cases in Miaoli County confirm the epizootic crossed the Daan River.

## Abstract

From the initial outbreak of Formosan ferret-badger (FFB) rabies in Taiwain in 2013 until December 2022, the epizootic had remained continuously limited on the south side of the Daan River, which was considered as a natural barrier preventing the reservoir FFBs from crossing over. However, in 2023, cases of FFB rabies appeared in Miaoli County, located north of the Daan River. Several factors may have contributed to this crossing, including (1) decreased rainfall in the Daan River catchment in recent years, reducing water sources in FFB habitats and forcing FFBs to seek forage outside their mountain habitats; (2) the construction of the Shilin Weir in the upstream of Daan River, possibly leading to drought during the dry seasons, allowing reservoir FFBs to cross from the south side into Miaoli County; and (3) thehe unusually high incidence of FFB roadkills s during the 2023 rainy season, indicating an overall increase in FFB activity. These pieces of evidence supported the speculation that FFBs crossed the Daan River, introducing FFB rabies into Miaoli County.

The first detection of Formosan ferret-badger (FFB) rabies on the main island of Taiwan occurred in July 2013. National surveillance reports indicated that prior to 2023, rabies outbreaks were limited to the southern region of the Daan River, which was considered a natural barrier preventing the spread northwards. However, in 2023, four new cases of rabid FFBs emerged in Miaoli County, located north of the Daan River, suggesting that the epizootic had crossed the river. Several factors may have contributed to the ability of reservoir FFBs to cross over the Daan River. Firstly, there was a decrease in rainfall in the upstream area of the Daan River in 2023. Secondly, the construction of the Shilin Weir by the Taiwan Power Company in the upstream area of the Daan River aimed to prioritize water diversion for hydropower generation while ensuring domestic water supply for Miaoli County and Taichung City. Lastly, there was an unusual increase in the number of roadkill FFBs during the rainy season of 2023. The decreased rainfall in FFB habitats in the mountains and the near-dry condition of the upstream Daan River caused by the Shilin Weir in 2023, allowing FFBs to easily cross the Daan River into Miaoli County. The evidence of unusually increased FFB activity in 2023 supports the speculation that FFBs crossed the Daan River, introducing FFB rabies into Miaoli County.