Epidemiology of human rabies in Shaanxi province, 1995 - 2009

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of human rabies, understand the disease trend and related factors in Shaanxi. Methods The incidence data of human rabies in Shaanxi from 1955 to 2009 were collected to conduct statistical analysis. Results A total of 474 cases of human rabies were reported from 1955 to 2009. Three incidence peaks were observed in 1956, 1989-1990 and 2009, and 155, 4, 8, 102 and 164 cases were reported in 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, respectively. The annual case number was low in nearly whole 2000s,but greatly increased in 2009 (26). The case number reported in 1956 was highest (108). Ankang, Hanzhong and Shangluo in southern Shaanxi were the mostly affected areas with the reported cases accounting for 75.71% of the total, followed by Yulin, Yanan in northern Shaanxi and the central part of Shaanxi. The cases mainly occurred in people aged 45-55 years, accounting for 64.52% of the total. The male to female ratio of the cases was 1.38 ∶ 1. Most cases were farmers (80.65%). The cases were reported all the year around, but the cases reported during June-August accounted for 41.13%. Conclusion The incidence of rabies in Shaanxi province was highest in northwestern China. Hanzhong and Ankang were the area with high incidence of human rabies, and young farmers were the mostly affected population. The living environment, poor management of dog raising, poor awareness of rabies prevention and control and inadequate post exposure treatment might explain the rising of the incidence of human rabies.