Mass human exposure to rabies in New Hampshire: exposures, treatment, and cost.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the rabies exposure and treatment that at least 665 persons in Concord, NH, received as a result of one proven rabid pet-store kitten in October 1994.


METHODS
All treatment recipients were interviewed by person or phone.


RESULTS
The median age of the treatment recipients was 14 years; 58% were female. The most common exposures were low risk (e.g., picking up, petting, nuzzling, or being scratched by a potentially rabid kitten). Local reactions to vaccine or immune globulin were reported by 76.5% of recipients, while 48.8% reported at least one systemic reaction. Cost for the biologicals was estimated at more than $1.1 million.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the inadequacy of pet store records, the inconsistent application of treatment guidelines, and other factors, many people received postexposure treatment as a result of contacts that were unlikely to transmit rabies. The rates of local and systemic adverse reactions experienced were consistent with previous reports.
Noah
D L
DL
Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Smith
M G
MG
Gotthardt
J C
JC
Krebs
J W
JW
Green
D
D
Childs
J E
JE
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000635:transmission*; D002415:Cats; D016527:Drug Costs; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009513:New Hampshire; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011818:Rabies / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission* / Q000662:veterinary*; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D014504:Urban Health
D011819:Rabies Vaccines