Analysis of rabies cases in Sichuan province, 2007 - 2008

Objective To analyze the characteristics of rabies cases in Sichuan and take appropriate control measures to reduce the incidence of rabies. Methods The survey forms of 480 rabies cases in 2007 and 2008 were collected and analyzed by using Excel and Epidata software statistically. Results The male to female ratio of the cases was 1.78 ∶ 1; the cases among farmers accounted for 72.5%; Among 480 cases, 97.3% were caused by dog bite, 2.7% were caused by cat bite. Stray animal bite caused 49.4% of the cases and dog attack caused 66.6% of the cases by dog bite. Fifty four cases had the history of wound washing/disinfection and vaccination, The cases without wound treatment accounted for 47.9%; with self treatment accounted for 32.7%; with treatment in medical service accounted for 19.4%, and the cases receiving wound treatment in medical service after head/face exposure accounted for 48.1%; receiving vaccination accounted for 16.25%. The vaccination rates after arm exposure and head/face exposure were 66.7% and 50.0% respectively, and 16.3% of cases received vaccination and immune globulin injection. Conclusion Most rabies cases in Sichuan were male farmers. Many cases didn't receive standard wound treatment, and some cases had been vaccinated. It is necessary to strengthen the health education, increase the rate of standard wound treatment, increase vaccination and immune globulin injection rate and strengthen the management of stray dogs in the prevention and control of rabies. Meanwhile, the analysis on vaccination failure should be conducted to explore the reason of rabies onset after vaccination.