Evaluation of cases admitted to a center in Istanbul, Turkey in 2003 for rabies vaccination and three rabies cases followed up in the last 15 years

Jpn J Infect Dis. 2006 Aug;59(4):254-7.

Abstract

We evaluated the cases of 7,266 individuals who applied to our hospital's Center for Rabies Vaccination between January and December 2003. Among 1,831 female and 5,435 male cases, 37% were given 3 doses of vaccination, 14% were given 5 doses, and in 24% of cases a 2-1-1 vaccination schedule was applied. Antirabies serum of horse origin was given in 179 cases. Regarding the wounds, 83% were superficial and 17% were deep. Most of the cases involved dog bites (74%). Of the dogs involved, 30% were pets (with owners). Only a few (6%) of those pets had been vaccinated. Of the 2 dogs investigated for rabies in Pendik Veterinarian Research Institute, none were found to harbor the disease. In the last 15 years, 3 cases were followed up with a diagnosis of human rabies in our clinic. Domestic animals (without owners, living a somewhat wild life in cities) are still the cause of many rabies cases. As rabies carries a very high fatality risk, public health precautions and education are important as well as post-exposure prophylaxis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bites and Stings / virology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Rabies / epidemiology*
  • Rabies / prevention & control
  • Rabies Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Rabies virus / isolation & purification*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Turkey / epidemiology

Substances

  • Rabies Vaccines