Rabies in Poland in 2012.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of the epidemiological situation of rabies in Poland in 2012.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Evaluation was based on the analysis of data from questionnaires sent by the Epidemiological-Sanitary Stations. The data are from questionnaires of persons who were administered vaccine against rabies following exposure in Poland and beyond its territory and data from annual bulletin "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2012"(Czarkowski MP et al., Warsaw, NIH and CSI) and epizootic data provided by the General Veterinary Inspectorate.

RESULTS

In 2012, a total of 257 animal rabies cases were registered in Poland, i.e. nearly 60% more compared to 2011. More than 83% of these cases were reported in Podkarpackie province. Compared to 2011, more than 3.5 increase was noted there. One rabid dog was reported in Śląskie province where one rabies infection in fox was noted there a year ago. Rabies infections in terrestrial animals were also reported in the following provinces: Małopolskie, Lubelskie, Warmińsko-mazurskie and Podlaskie. Single rabies infections in bats were registered in other regions of Poland. In 2012, a total of 7,753 persons were vaccinated against rabies, including 315, i.e. more than 4% due to the exposure to animals infected with rabies virus. Of persons vaccinated due to contact with a rabid animal, nearly 40% and more than 44% were vaccinated following contact with rabid fox and domestic animal, respectively. As with the previous years, humans were vaccinated mostly due to contact with dogs and cats in which rabies could not be excluded - 5,974 persons (77%).

CONCLUSIONS

A reason for concern is an increase in the number of animal rabies cases reported in 2012, especially in Podkarpackie province. Epizootic situation in Poland affects slightly the number of persons vaccinated against rabies who had contact with an animal which potentially is a source of rabies virus. Since many years, this number remains stable, amounting to 7-8,000 annually.