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. 2014 Apr 18:14:212.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2334-14-212.

Human rabies surveillance and control in China, 2005-2012

Miao Song, Qing Tang  1 , Simon Rayner, Xiao-Yan Tao, Hao Li, Zhen-Yang Guo, Xin-Xin Shen, Wen-Tao Jiao, Wei Fang, Jun Wang, Guo-Dong Liang
Affiliations

Human rabies surveillance and control in China, 2005-2012

Miao Song et al. BMC Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Rabies reemerged in China during the 1990s with a gradual increase in the number and geographical dispersion of cases. As a consequence, a national surveillance program was introduced in 2005 to investigate the outbreak in terms of vaccination coverage, PEP treatment, and geographical and social composition.

Methods: The surveillance program was coordinated at the national level by the Chinese Center for Disease Control (CCDC) with data collected by regional health centres and provincial CCDCs, and from other official sources. Various statistical and multivariate analysis techniques were then used to evaluate the role and significance of implemented policies and strategies related to rabies prevention and control over this period.

Results: From 2005-2012, 19,221 cases were reported across 30 provinces, but these primarily occurred in rural areas of southern and eastern China, and were predominantly associated with farmers, students and preschool children. In particular, detailed analysis of fatalities reported from 2010 to 2011 shows they were associated with very low rates of post exposure treatment compared to the cases with standard PEP. Nevertheless, regulation of post-exposure prophylaxis quality, together with improved management and vaccination of domesticated animals, has improved prevention and control of rabies.

Conclusions: The various control policies implemented by the government has played a key role in reducing rabies incidences in China. However, level of PEP treatment varies according to sex, age, degree and site of exposure, as well as the source of infection. Regulation of PEP quality together with improved management and vaccination of domesticated animals have also helped to improve prevention and control of rabies.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Rabies surveillance regions and geographical distribution of cases in for each province in China from 2005 to 2012.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of Rabies according to age (x axis) gender (y axis) and occupation in China from 2005 to 2012.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distribution of Rabies according to age (x axis) gender (y axis) and occupation in China from 2005 to 2012.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Dog and cat immunization rates in selected surveillance regions in China from 2005 to 2012. Notes. 1In 2005, only Guizhou and Guangxi provinces had available data. 2In 2011, only household survey data was available for dog immunization in Dushan county in Guizhou province. 3In 2011, only household survey data was available for cat immunization in Dushan county in Guizhou province.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Geographical distribution of positive samples by host collected in China from 2005 to 2012.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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