Incidence and associated risk factors for rabies in humans and livestock in north-west Ethiopia

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Veterinary Science, School of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine Bahir Dar University

2 Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar

3 International Livestock Research Institute

Abstract

Rabies is a widespread disease affecting all warm-blooded animals. In developing countries, most human mortalities originate from rabid dogs. Every year, rabies is responsible for an estimated 60,000 human deaths worldwide, with 15 million people receiving rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), 4 million disability-adjusted life years, and 9 billion US$ dollars in economic losses. Incidence and associated risk factors of rabies in humans and livestock were conducted in North-West Ethiopia with the aim of quantifying the incidence and associated risk factors of rabies. The prospective follow-up of rabid victims was recorded in seven districts of northwest Ethiopia for 18 consecutive months. Information from victims or bit animal owners was collected, entered into Excel, and analysed using Stata 17. A total of 393 rabid suspected cases were recorded during the follow-up period, of which 293 were bites by potentially rabid animals and 100 were probable rabid cases. Males to female ratio of human victims was (59.46% vs. 40.54%, respectively). Dog owners were more affected (62%) than non-dog owners. Dogs were the major animals (>96%) for exposure. The 5–14 years age group had the highest number of bites in human cases. The legs/feet (53.5%) were the most affected body part. The mortality rate of humans was 2.09 per 100,000 people per year during the current outbreak. People living in rural residences, males, and having dogs in the house were the main risk factors for exposure to rabies. Hence, rabies continues to pose a threat to humans and animals.

Keywords

African Journal of Biological Sciences

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 15 September 2024

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