Abstract
<jats:p>Rabies remains one of the most dangerous zoonotic diseases worldwide, with nearly 60,000 human deaths annually. It is caused by the rabies virus (RABV), a neurotropic RNA virus of the Lyssavirus genus (family Rhabdoviridae). Infection typically begins when the saliva of an infected animal enters a bite wound. Ukraine has long been endemic for rabies, with both wild (especially red foxes) and domestic carnivores serving as reservoirs. Before 2022, coordinated oral rabies vaccination (ORV) programs for wildlife and systematic immunization of domestic animals contributed to a gradual decline in disease incidence. However, the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022 caused a collapse of veterinary infrastructure, disrupted vaccination logistics, and led to the displacement of millions of people and animals, which reversed much of the progress achieved. As a result, the increase in the stray animal population and the suspension of ORV campaigns led to the uncontrolled spread of the virus among both wild and domestic animals. Between 2022 and 2024, Ukraine reported a more than twofold increase in rabies cases among animals. The Ivano-Frankivsk region, located in western Ukraine, despite its geographical distance from the combat zones, in 2024, demonstrated a doubling of rabies cases among animals compared to 2020-2021. By mid-2025, the number of cases had already reached the pre-war level of 2021. Restoring vaccination programs, rebuilding veterinary laboratories, and strengthening cross-border surveillance are essential for mitigating post-war rabies resurgence and ensuring public and animal health security in the region.</jats:p>