Epidemiological analysis is important to understand spatial and temporal dynamics, and the elucidation of trends by species (including humans) and rabies virus variant (if antigenic or genetic virus characterization can be accomplished) is the foundation on which to formulate prospective intervention programs [for examples see here ]. Epidemiological data inform policy decisions and is an evidence-based means of identifying risk factors for disease and ways that prevention, control and elimination may proceed most effectively [for examples see here ]. Epidemiological trends provide insight on rabies virus spillover and potential establishment of rabies virus variants in new host species due to cross-species transmission. These data may form the basis for applicable predictive modeling of rabies. Analysis of rabies cases alone provides only limited insights into disease epidemiology. Inclusion of negative results may help identifying temporal and regional gaps in rabies surveillance.