A Three-year (2011–2013) Surveillance on Animal Bites and Victims Vaccination in the South of Khorasan-e-Razavi Province, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Rabies is acute encephalitis caused by rabies virus and is transmissible between humans and warm blooded animals. The virus is belong to the family of Rabdoviridae and, of Lissavirus genus. Aim: To find out the success of rabies surveillance system to prevent victims of this deadly disease and to identify its risk factors in the community. Materials and Methods: This research is a cross-sectional analysis and the information pertaining to bite incidents was obtained from documents of the Centers for Disease Control of Rabies from 2011 to 2013. A questionnaire was used which included questions on demographics information (sex and age) of the victims, and the others. Results: A total of 616 cases (animal rabies) were brought to rabies treatment center during 2011- 2013 of which 81.2% of the cases were males and 18.8% were females. Most animal bites (37.5%) reported in 2011. The difference between the months and the number of biting were statistically significant (p = 0.001). Animal biting was more frequent among people of age group 21–30 years than other age groups which constituted roughly 27.2% of the cases. There was no significant relationship between the variables of gender and site of the bites victims, (p> 0.05). Domestic dog bite was most frequent, found in 66.7% cases. 83.9% victims had been uncompleted vaccinated and 16.1% were completed. Conclusion: Since, the cost of conservation was high for the health system after biting, preventive programs should be concentrated on public health instructions, particularly in villagers, free occupation and emphasis to ranchers that have collar dogs during the day.

Keywords

• human
• infection disease
• rabies
• treatment