[Rabies in Poland in 2002].

In Poland in 2002, one case of human rabies was reported. There is no information about bitemark of the person with rabies and the person has not vaccinated. 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 2002 year we observed more than two-fold decrease in number of animal rabies cases. The outbreak of animal rabies, which started in 2001 year in Wielkopolskie voivodeship was still present. Moreover sources of wild and domestic animal rabies are present on the north-east, east, and south-east of the country. Out of 8,239 persons vaccinated in Poland against rabies, 1,179 (14%) were bitten by or were in contact with a rabid animal. Main reason for vaccination against rabies was exposure to an animal category C--rabies not excluded (6,071 cases, 74%) or category D--animals healthy at the moment of an exposition (989 cases, 12%).