Circumstances and management of 72 animal bites among long-term residents in the tropics.
Little is known about rabies exposure among expatriates living in warm climates. Recommendations on pre-exposure prophylaxis are therefore controversial. This study assesses the post-exposure management of Swiss and German expatriates after potential rabies exposures. Dogs were involved in 69% of all incidents. Less than half of the owned dogs were vaccinated against rabies. Only 24-30% of post-exposure treatments were correct according to WHO recommendations. Expatriates with pre-exposure vaccination appear to be complacent about post-exposure treatment. The decision to give pre-exposure vaccination to expatriates in warm climate countries or to rely on post-exposure rabies vaccination depends on the available quality of treatment and must be carefully assessed prior to a stay abroad. Information on rabies risk must be better disseminated and vaccination of owned animals improved.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011818:Rabies / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013557:Switzerland / Q000208:ethnology; D014329:Tropical Climate
D011819:Rabies Vaccines