Epidemiology of rabies in Jieyang city, Guangdong province，2005-2007

ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristics and trend of the rabies epidemic in Jieyang city, Guangdong province, and discuss the prevention and control measures. MethodsThe epidemic data of rabies from 2005 to 2007 in Jieyang city was collected and analyzed by descriptive epidemiology method. ResultsA total of 30 cases of rabies were reported in Jieyang city from 2005 to 2007, and all the patients died. The case number increased year by year. Four counties out of 5 counties in the city were involved by the epidemic (80%). There were 20 male cases and 10 female cases with the gender ratio of 2∶1. The cases in children aged15 years and the cases in adults aged45 years accounted for 40.0% of the total cases, respectively. Most cases occurred in primary and high-school students (12 cases，40.0%) and scattered children (11cases, 36.7%). Eighty-seven percent of cases were caused by the bite of dogs, which were neither immunized nor with known immune history. Of the cases reported, 40% didn't treat the wounds properly, and only 10% received vaccination. ConclusionThe increase of the rabies incidence was due to the low rate of dog immunization and low rate of human vaccination after exposure. It is necessary to strengthen dog management, conduct health education and training vigorously, incorporate the rabies vaccination into the new type rural cooperative medical care system and urban resident medical care insurance system to prevent and control the rabies epidemic.