Epidemiological Analysis of Cases of Animal Bite Injuries at Rabies Prevention Centers Affiliated with Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences.

Abstract

Objective: Rabies remains a significant public health threat, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of animal bite injuries in Iranshahr, Iran, from 2019 to 2021.

Methods: A descriptive analysis was conducted on 6,085 animal bite incidents reported to Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences' rabies prevention centers between April 2019 and March 2021. Data collected included demographic information (age, gender, occupation, nationality), type of animal involved (dog, cat, etc.), timing of the incident, injury severity, and treatment received. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 19, ArcGIS version 10.8.2, and Excel 2019.

Results: The average age of victims was 25.22 years, with males constituting 66.9% of cases. A significant majority (67.1%) of bites occurred in rural areas, and 38% of victims were under 19 years old. Dogs were responsible for 89.8% of bites, followed by cats at 5.2%. The highest incidence was noted in spring (30.8%). The cumulative incidence rate was 151 per 100,000 population, peaking at 253 per 100,000 in Rask City and dropping to 131 per 100,000 during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the sampled animals suspected of rabies, eight were confirmed positive.

Conclusions: The findings indicate that school-aged children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to dog bites, highlighting the need for targeted educational programs. The presence of confirmed rabies cases in animals underscores the necessity for comprehensive control measures, including stray dog management and vaccination initiatives for domestic pets.