Analysis of epidemic factors of 48 rabies cases in Liupanshui City of Guizhou Province in 2006

Objective This study was designed to analyze the epidemic factors of 48 rabies cases in Liupanshui City from January to August,2006 and to develop the strategies for the prevention and control of the disease. Methods Case investigation was conducted for the 48 rabies patients. Results 48 rabies cases presented in Liupanshui City from January to August with the incidence of 1.60/lakh. The patients were bitten by animals involving 41 domestic dogs (85.42%),3 stray dogs (6.25%),3 domestic cats (6.25%) and 1 cattle (2.08%). 43 cases of the 48 patients didn't had any treatment and none of them had anti-rabies serum or human anti-rabies immunoglobulin injected,or treated the wound with local infiltrated injection,only 3 of them immunized with rabies vaccine in time. Conclusion The large amount of house kept animals without proper management,poor public knowledge of prevention and treatment after exposure,low vaccination rate and disorder of management were responsible for this rabies epidemic and the further prevention and control strategies should aim at the combination of powerful management,high vaccination rate and zero source of infection.