Details:

Alternative Title:
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep
Personal Author:
Pieracci, Emily G. ; Pearson, Christine M. ; Wallace, Ryan M. ; Blanton, Jesse D. ; Whitehouse, Erin R. ; ... More +
Pieracci, Emily G. ; Pearson, Christine M. ; Wallace, Ryan M. ; Blanton, Jesse D. ; Whitehouse, Erin R. ; Ma, Xiaoyue ; Stauffer, Kendra ; Chipman, Richard B. ; Olson, Victoria Less -
Description:
Introduction

Each year, rabies causes approximately 59,000 deaths Worldwide, including approximately two deaths in the United States Before 1960, dogs were a common reservoir of rabies in the United States; however, increasingly, species of wildlife (e.g., bats, raccoons) are the main reservoirs. This report characterizes human rabies deaths, summarizes Trends in rabies Mortality, and highlights current rabies risks in the United States

Methods

Rabies Trends in the United States during 1938–2018 were analyzed using national rabies Surveillance data. Data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project for 2006–2014 were used to estimate the number of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) visits per 100,000 persons during 2017–2018. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ average sales price data were used to estimate PEP costs.

Results

From 1960 to 2018, a total of 125 human rabies cases were reported in the United States; 36 (28%) were attributed to dog bites during international travel. Among the 89 infections acquired in the United States, 62 (70%) were attributed to bats. In 2018, approximately 55,000 persons sought PEP after contact with a potentially rabid animal.

Conclusions and Comments

In the United States, wildlife rabies, especially in bats, continues to pose a risk to humans. Travelers also might be exposed to canine rabies in countries where the disease is still present; increased awareness of rabies while traveling abroad is needed. Vaccinating pets, avoiding contact with wildlife, and seeking medical care if one is bitten or scratched by an animal are the most effective ways to prevent rabies. Understanding the need for timely administration of PEP to prevent death is critical.


Subjects:
[+]
Animals Bites And Stings Chiroptera Dog Diseases Dogs Environmental Exposure Humans Internationality Mortality Population Surveillance Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Rabies Risk Factors Travel-Related Illness Vital Signs
Source:
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 68(23):524-528
Pubmed ID:
31194721
Pubmed Central ID:
PMC6613553
Document Type:
Journal Article
Place as Subject:
United States
Collection(s):
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:787980882e14e53030aadf7a6221cda437489b562475a635e75ed225b293edb5
Download URL:
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/80177/cdc_80177_DS1.pdf
File Type:

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