TRENDS OF DOG BITE, CLINICAL HUMAN RABIES AND ANTI-RABIES VACCINATION COVERAGE IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA (2005-2014)

Abstract

Rabies is an acute viral encephalomyelitis which mainly affects carnivores and bats but can affect any mammal. It is invariably fatal once clinical signs appear. Rabies account for the death of about 55,000 people worldwide yearly and it is endemic in Nigeria. Epidemiological data needed for planning control strategies for rabies in Imo State is not available. This study determined the trend of rabies, dog bites and vaccination coverage in dogs in Imo State, Nigeria. Registration and vaccination records of dogs were obtained from the veterinary clinics. Cases of dog bites and clinical cases of rabies in humans were extracted from the hospitals using data extraction forms. Variables extracted included age and sex of victims of dog bites and clinical rabies as well as age and sex of vaccinated dogs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The relationships between dog bites/rabies cases and rainy and dry seasons were determined using correlation coefficient. Level of significance was at p<0.05. A total of 10,264 dogs (mean 1,026) were registered and 5,595 dogs were vaccinated giving vaccination coverage of 55.4 %. The annual dog registration and vaccination coverage were on the increase. The vaccination coverage was below the 70% recommended vaccination coverage level by the WHO. Vaccination coverage increased over the years while more female dogs (60%) were vaccinated. A total of 436 cases of human dog bites were reported, giving a mean average of 44 bites per year. The trend of dog bite cases was on the increase. Cases were more in males (54.4%) and in children less than 20 years of age (51.2%). There is a weak non-significant positive correlation (r = 0.3) between dog bites and precipitation. Seventeen clinical human rabies cases were recorded. The trend of clinical human rabies was on the decrease. Twelve (70.6%) of them were in males and the most affected were the under 20 age group (94.1%). It is therefore recommended that Government of Imo State should organize enlightenment campaign to sensitize the public on the danger posed by unvaccinated dogs in the society. Government should also subsidize the cost of anti-rabies vaccination. The dog laws should be reviewed, updated and enforced in Imo State.