Circumstances and management of 72 animal bites among long-term residents in the tropics
1995; Elsevier BV; Volume: 13; Issue: 9 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/0264-410x(94)00075-x
ISSN1873-2518
AutoresChristoph Hatz, Jean Marc Bidaux, Kathrin Eichenberger, Ursula Mikulics, Thomas Junghanss,
Tópico(s)Zoonotic diseases and public health
ResumoLittle is known about rabies exposure among expatriates living in warm climates. Recommendations on pre-exposure prophylaxis are therefore controversial. This study assesses the post-exposure management of Swiss and German expatriates after potential rabies exposures. Dogs were involved in 69% of all incidents. Less than half of the owned dogs were vaccinated against rabies. Only 24-30% of post-exposure treatments were correct according to WHO recommendations. Expatriates with pre-exposure vaccination appear to be complacent about post-exposure treatment. The decision to give pre-exposure vaccination to expatriates in warm climate countries or to rely on post-exposure rabies vaccination depends on the available quality of treatment and must be carefully assessed prior to a stay abroad. Information on rabies risk must be better disseminated and vaccination of owned animals improved.
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