Assessment of Animal Bite-Related Rabies Risk and Post Exposure Management in Baghdad

Abstract

The deadly rabies virus may be transmitted by humans from the saliva of infected animals, making rabies a serious public health concern. The rabies virus is often disseminated by bites. The species most likely to transmit rabies in the United States include skunks, foxes, coyotes, bats, and raccoons. In developing countries, rabies is most frequently spread via stray dogs.
Aim of the Study:
to assess the demographic characteristics and clinical symptoms of patients presenting after animal bites in Baghdad, with particular emphasis on the species of biting animals, potential rabies exposure, and the post-exposure management provided, including wound care, rabies vaccination, rabies immunoglobulin, and other supportive treatments. The study also aimed to identify demographic patterns that may be relevant to rabies prevention and public-health interventions in Iraq .
Patients and Methods:
A retrospective hospital-based clinical study was conducted among patients presenting to Baghdad Medical City Hospital, Baghdad, following animal bites or other potential rabies exposures. Eligible patients were identified from medical records according to the documented history of animal exposure and clinical assessment at presentation. Data were reviewed regarding demographic characteristics, biting animal species, exposure circumstances, wound management, and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), including rabies vaccination and rabies immunoglobulin where documented. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic and clinical characteristics, while the Chi-square test was applied for categorical comparisons where appropriate.
Results:
Thirty-six percent of the fifty patients presenting after animal exposure in this research were under the age of twenty. Of them, 26% were in the 20–30 age range. Twelve percent of them were in the 30–40 age range. 26%of them were older than forty. With a male to female ratio of 72% to 28%, there were more male patients than female patients.Dog bites were the most frequently documented animal exposure, accounting for 62% of cases, followed by cat bites (22%) and rat bites (12%).
Conclusion:
Based on the information gathered, here are key conclusions regarding the rabies virus:
• Fatal Disease:
o Rabies is an acute, progressive viral encephalitis.
o Once clinical symptoms appear, it is almost invariably fatal.
Transmission:
• The illness is mostly transmitted by the saliva of infected animals, typically through bites.
• Saliva can also spread by getting into mucosal membranes or open wounds.