Prevalence Study and Overview of Rabies in the Province of Ouarzazate-Morocco

Abstract

Background: Rabies is a cosmopolitan anthropozoonosis for which humans are accidental victims. In Morocco, rabies is an endemic disease, with new cases of human rabies reported every year. The aim of our study is to analyze the epidemiological aspects of rabies in the province of Ouarzazate. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study using records available at the Ouarzazate Municipal Hygiene Office. It includes 1,759 cases of exposure to animal bites between 2016 and 2019. Results: We identified 1,759 cases of animal bites during the period of 4 years of study, representing an average annual exposure rate of 190/100,000 inhabitants. Most cases were rural (65%). The median age of bitten cases was 28 years, with people under 15 years of age exposed in 32% of cases. Males predominate, with 61.3% of cases. Dogs are the main animal aggressors at 47.8%, followed by cats at 33%. The upper limbs are the preferred sites of aggression (89.2%). Exposure was grade III in 76.8% of cases. Lesions were multiple in 52.1% and superficial in 62.6%. No cases of human rabies have been recorded since 2001, despite 20 cases being exposed to a biologically confirmed rabid animal during our study. Conclusion: Rabies remains a public health concern in the province of Ouarzazate, despite the presence of a national rabies control program. Effective control of this zoonosis requires strengthening education and community engagement, as well as close collaboration between animal health and human health sectors for integrated management of bite cases.