An important public health problem: rabies suspected bites and post-exposure prophylaxis in a health district in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe rabies suspected animal bites and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) practices in Narlidere District in Turkey between 1999 and 2001.

METHODS: One thousand five hundred and sixty-nine rabies suspected bite cases reported were identified from the District's rabies surveillance forms.

RESULTS: Males comprised 66.7% of the cases, and 43.5% of the total were under 20 years old. In 74% of cases the animal involved in the bite was a dog. Only 70% of the animals had an owner, and only 17% of the animals had a rabies vaccination certificate. In terms of treatment, 68% of the human cases received PEP, and 21% of cases had an extra (sixth) vaccination dose, which is a substantial burden on the healthcare system, costing half a million US dollars per year. The place where the bite occurred (rural areas), the age of the recipient (more than 10 years old), the animal type (animals other than dogs and cats), lack of a vaccination certificate for the animal, and place of wound treatment (hospital) were significantly associated with PEP application.

CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the currently recommended strategy of controlling the dog population and of vaccinating domesticated animals, adults and children should be educated about bite prevention to reduce the number of animal bites.