Survey of animal bite injuries and their management for an estimate of human rabies deaths in N'Djaména, Chad.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the annual human rabies incidence as a baseline prior to mass dog vaccination campaigns in N'Djaména, Chad.

METHODS

Survey of animal bites, involving 50% of all healthcare providers in N'Djaména, from September 2008 to April 2009. Of 86 people exposed to a suspected rabid animal, 50% received post-exposure vaccination and a further 8% had their wound cleaned. We estimated annual incidence of bites from suspected rabid animals of 12.9/100,000 and an incidence of 0.7 human rabies deaths/100,000, resulting in 7 estimated deaths (95% confidence interval 4-10 deaths) per year in N'Djaména. 14% of bite victims sought help from veterinarians.

CONCLUSIONS

Closer cooperation between physicians and veterinarians warrants more effective rabies control. The high proportion (42%) of potentially exposed people without post-exposure vaccination or wound treatment necessitates urgent attention.