[Rabies in Poland in 2003].

In Poland 399 cases of animal rabies were reported in 2003. Mass oral vaccination of wild animals against rabies, which was introduced in 1993, seems to show a positive impact on the epizootic situation of rabies in Poland. In 2003 we observed about three-fold decrease in number of animal rabies cases. The outbreak of animal rabies, which started in 2001 in Wielkopolskie voivodeship, was still present. About 42% of rabies cases were reported from this province. Moreover sources of wild and domestic animal rabies are present in the north-east, east, and south-east of the country. Out of 7 155 persons vaccinated in Poland against rabies, 519 (7%) were bitten by or had contact with a rabid animal. Main reason for vaccination against rabies was exposure to an animal category C--rabies not excluded (5 790 cases, 81%) or category D--animals healthy at the moment of an exposition (846 cases, 12%).