Epidemiological analysis of rabies in Wen zhou City of Zhejiang Province from 2000 to 2004

Objective This study was designed to find out the characteristics and the influence factors of rabies epidemics in Wenzhou City,so that the prevention and control measures could be taken with more pertinence.Methods An epidemiological investigation on reported rabies cases were carried out,and Negri bodies were detected in animals in endemic areas.Results Twenty-six cases were reported from 2000 to 2004,most of whom were reported in 2004.The infectious sources were found out to be a dog and a cat.The latent period was 43 days on average.The majority of rabies patients didn't have their wounds properly treated or treated incorrectly.Twenty patients out of 26 were not immunized with any vaccine after exposure,and three were not immunized following the schedule.No patient was immunized with anti-rabies serum.Negri bodies were detected in a dog in the endemic area.Conclusion Whenzhou City is a new endemic area of rabies.People should be educated about the importance of cleaning and treating the wounds in time and correctly after being scratched or bitten by animals and of getting immunized with rabies vaccine and anti-rabies serum within 24 hours after exposure.The management of rabies hosts such as dogs should be strengthened further.