Epidemiological survey of 505 rabies cases in Yulin city, Guangxi Autonomous Region

ObjectiveTo explore the reasons of high incidence of rabies in Yulin in recent years and provide scientific basis for the development of effective control strategies. MethodsDescriptive analysis was conducted on the incidence and epidemiological features of 505 rabies cases and survey on dog density was carried out by random sampling in all areas. ResultsFrom 1999 to 2008, the number of rabies cases was 10, 20, 41, 72, 78, 68, 59, 64, 54 and 39 respectively (all fatal) with the incidence rate of 0.18/lakh, 0.35/lakh, 0.71/lakh, 1.13/lakh, 1.32/lakh, 1.11/lakh, 1.00/lakh, 1.05/lakh, 0.98/lakh and 0.70/lakh. The average annual incidence rate was 0.85/lakh.The case fatality rate was 100%. Rabies cases occurred every month in a year, but more cases occurred in summer and autumn. More cases occurred in farmers, followed by students and scattered children. A total of 66.14% of cases didnt treat the wounds properly, 79.60% of the cases didnt receive rabies vaccine and 20.40%of the cases were not fully vaccinated. Survey in 2065 households with 7962 people was conducted. Among 1178 dogs raised, only 87 were immunized (7.39%). The average dog density was 14.80/100 people. A total of 410 dog brain specimens were detected by immunofluorescence assay with rabies virus antigen positive rate of 16.34%. For dogs attacking humans, rabies virus antigen positive rate was 87.5%. Most dogs attacking humans were killed and buried deeply. ConclusionThe reasons of high incidence of rabies in Yulin included high density of dogs, low immunization of digs, untimely and improper treatment of wounds, untimely vaccination of antirabies serum and rabies vaccine and occurrence of cases before antibody developed after vaccination. The comprehensive control measures for dogs of management, pening, killing and immunization should be implemented. It is important to conduct health education for people to treat wounds timely and properly and receive rabies vaccine and antirabies serum.