Analysis on the epidemiologic characteristics of human rabies in all the 31 provinces in China, from 1991 to 2005 / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the epidemic intensity and trend of human rabies from 1991 to 2005 among 31 provinces, metropoli and municipalities in China so as to increase the awareness of the disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Contrastive analyses were performed and the annual publishing data by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention were used.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total number of reported cases was 14 942 from 1991 to 2005 with an annual average mortality rate as 0.080/100000. The increase of five-years mortality ratio on relative ratio with circular base of mortality rate were--66.24% (1996-2000 to 1991-1995) and 506.13% (2001-2005 to 1996-2000). When comparing incidence rates between 2000-2005 and 1991-1995, the relative ratio with fixed base increase became 104.62%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Among the 31 provinces, metropolis and municipalities, 27 had reported human rabies cases. The enzootic areas mainly distributed in the drainage area along the Yangtze River. The incidence rates of Guangxi, Hunan, Guizhou, Jiangxi and Guangdong were the highest.</p>

Analysis on the factors related to rabies epidemic in China, in 2005 / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyse the related epidemic factors of rabies and to provide basic evidence for developing rabies control and prevention programs in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Possible factors that causing rabies epidemics in the southern part of China were obtained through collecting both epidemic and surveillance data of rabies in 2005, and to analyse every factor by software of Excel 2002.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The number of rabies cases was 2548 in 2005. Among 885 cases being investigated, 60.56%, 49.04%, 96.16% had not had any chance to receive treatment, vaccine or immunoglobulin. Among the exposed persons, 89.95% received treatment on wounds and 94.93% were immunized, and 8.56% received immunoglobulin. 94.86% of them accomplished the full rabies post-exposure prophylaxis course, but 8.56% of them did not accomplish it. 88.50% of the cases and 92% of the persons under exposure were bitten by dogs. The density of dogs was 3.20-13.37 per 100 persons. The vaccination coverage rates among dogs were 5.31% -75.11% with a positive rate of 2.93 % -6.40%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Factors as: low rate of post-exposure prophylaxis and failed to have finished the necessary post-exposure treatment (PET) of the cases, nonstandard PET in hospital or local clinic, low rabies vaccination coverage and high infectivity of rabies virus in animal host (mainly for dog) might be responsible for rabies epidemics in China, in 2005.</p>

Analysis on the epidemiology of rabies in Hunan province in the past 10 years / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the possible factors causing the increase of rabies cases and to provide references for the development of related prevention and control strategy in Hunan.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data was collected and analyzed on epidemic situation of rabies in the past ten years, and studies were carried in some counties.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>From 1994 to 1999, the annual cases sustained between 17 and 78. However, the number of cases has continued to increase since 2000. The annual reported cases in 2001 and 2002 were 311 and 313, and accounted for 34.8% and 30.0% of the total cases in the whole country respectively. The epidemic areas were mainly located in the south and middle parts of Hunan. Furthermore, the epidemic areas had been expanding. In 1997, human rabies cases were only reported in 7 cities but increased to 12 cities in 2004.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Factors as increasing number but low inoculating rate to dogs, and incorrect treatment on the wounds etc. might have served important roles for the recurrence of rabies. Hence, it is necessary to take comprehensive preventive measures to control and prevent the epidemics of rabies in Hunan.</p>