The cost of preventing rabies at any cost: post-exposure prophylaxis for occult bat contact.
Investigations conducted by public health in Quebec, Canada, following report of human exposure to a bat were reviewed to evaluate the implementation of the recommendation for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (RPEP) for household bat exposure (without documented direct contact). Of all RPEP recommended, 12% was for direct bat contact with bite, 7% for direct bat contact without known bite and 81% for household exposure. When bat was not available for testing, RPEP was almost always recommended. Household bat exposure has become the most frequent reason for RPEP administration. Given the rarity of rabies, RPEP recommendations related to household bat exposure may warrant review.
Huot
Caroline
C
Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Canada.
De Serres
Gaston
G
Duval
Bernard
B
Maranda-Aubut
Renée
R
Ouakki
Manale
M
Skowronski
Danuta M
DM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002685:Chiroptera; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000191:economics*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011792:Quebec; D011818:Rabies / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics*; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000635:transmission*
D011819:Rabies Vaccines