Research in Human-Animal Interaction
Sudarshan, M. K.; Mahendra, B. J.; Madhusudana, S. N.; Narayana, D. H. A.; Abdul Rahman; Rao, N. S. N.; Meslin, F. X.; Derek Lobo; Ravikumar, K.; Gangaboraiah;
Journal of Communicable Diseases. Indian Society for Malaria and other Communicable Diseases, Delhi, India: 2006. 38: 1, 32-39.
This was a WHO sponsored national multi-centric rabies survey and one of its objectives was to find out the incidence of animal bites, anti-rabies treatment practices, pet dog populations and the state if pet care. Twenty-one medical colleges in India chosen with geoscatter representation conducted the survey during February-August 2003. The survey was conducted in 18 states, covering a population of 52 731 chosen randomly from 8500 households. The annual incidence of animal bites was high, 1.7%, and it was more in rural areas (1.8%), children (2.6%) and poor/low income groups (75%). The main biting animals were dogs (91.5%; mostly strays (63%)), followed by cats (4.7%). A high proportion of bite victims did not wash their wounds with soap and water (39.5%), preferred Government hospitals (59.9%) and nerve tissue vaccine (46.9%). The use of rabies immunoglobulin was low (2.1%). A single animal bite episode led to a loss of 2.2 man-days and the cost of medicines including anti-rabies vaccine was Rs.252 (US$6). The recourse to indigenous treatment (45.31%) and local application to wound (36.8%) was quite prevalent. About 17% of households reported having a pet/domesticated dog and the pet dog:man ratio was 1:36. Pet dog care/management practices were not satisfactory with a low veterinary consultation (35.5%) and vaccination (32.9%). The situation was slightly better in urban areas. The people also reported the presence (83%) and menace (22.8%) of stray dogs. It is recommended to initiate appropriate community awareness and dog vaccination campaigns and effective stray dog control measures.