Analysis of the epidemiological trends of human rabies in Fujian province, 2004-2007

Objective　To evaluate the epidemiological trend and risk factors of rabies in Fujian, 2004-2007. Methods　Descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze rabies cases during this period in Fujian. Results　A total of 137 cases of rabies occurred from 2004 to 2007 with the annual average incidence of 0.10/lakh. And 137 death occurred with the case-fatality of 100.00%. Most cases occurred in Quanzhou, Sanming and Longyang, accounting for 88.33%(121/137) of the overall cases. Seventeen counties/districts were involved during the epidemic in 2007 by a geographic spread pattern, and the cases mainly distributed in rural areas (96.35%). People aged 35-55 years were mostly affected, accounting for 49.64%. The youngest victim aged 1year, while the oldest aged 89 years. Most cases were farmers, accounting for 54.01%, followed by students (15.33%), and most cases occurred in male with the sex ratio of 2.43∶1. The disease occurred all the year around and peaked in March and in July to October, the cases occurred during July to October accounted for 51.09% of the total cases (70/137). Conclusion　It is vital to strengthen the control and prevention of rabies and the management of dogs in rural areas and animal quarantine for cross-regional transport.