Audit of post-exposure treatment to prevent lyssavirus infection in Sydney South West Area Health Service, 2005-2007.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the profile of people who received post-exposure treatment to prevent lyssavirus infection in Sydney South West Area Health Service between 2005 and 2007 and to assess treatment compliance with the current NSW Health protocol.


METHODS
Thirty-eight public health files and a subset of 11 medical records were reviewed to collect demographic, exposure and treatment information for the period.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine (76%) potential Lyssavirus exposures occurred overseas. Nine potential exposures occurred within Australia; eight of these resulted from a bat bite or scratch. Thirteen (34%) of all potential exposures resulted from handling an animal.


CONCLUSIONS
Many potential exposures were the result of a bite or scratch from a domesticated animal; the animal's survival or health status was not routinely recorded. While all people who commenced post-exposure treatment completed the prescribed course, this was often not within the stipulated timeframe.
Craig
Adam T
AT
NSW Department of Health, Australia. adam.craig@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
Mannes
Trish F
TF
Gupta
Leena
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D011818:Rabies / Q000276:immunology; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018353:Rhabdoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D055815:Young Adult; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D011819:Rabies Vaccines