Post-exposure anti-rabies prophylaxis in humans exposed to animals in Lublin province (Eastern Poland) in 2006-2011

Abstract

The aim of our study was to analyze medical records from years 2006-2011 of all patients exposed to animals and consulted at the Dispensary of Rabies Prophylaxis in the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Medical University of Lublin in Eastern Poland. During the studied 6-year period, 1,504 persons exposed to animals were consulted, and prophylactic procedure consisted of active immunization applied in 19.21% of the total consulted. Dogs and cats were the most common animal species suspected as the source of rabies exposure. Anti-rabies prophylaxis was applied to 51.56% of all vaccinated patients exposed to dogs and to 20.06% exposed to cats. Rabies was confirmed mainly in domestic animals (2 cats, 1 dog). Among wild animals, only 1 case of rabies was confirmed in a single bat.