Epidemiology of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis--United States of America, 2006-2008.
BACKGROUND
The United States of America (USA) does not have a national reporting system for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). We describe the epidemiology of PEP in the USA so recommendations can be made during a PEP shortage.


METHODS
A two-part questionnaire designed to evaluate PEP distribution practices and estimate PEP use was administered to state health department representatives.


RESULTS
Seventy-five percent of participants responded that no public health guidance was needed to make a recommendation for PEP. The annual national average PEP use is 23,415 courses of PEP (range: 10,645-35,845).


CONCLUSIONS
PEP is loosely monitored and a precise estimate of PEP use is unknown. Improved national surveillance for PEP is needed.
Christian
Kira A
KA
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Workforce and Career Development, Career Development Division, Epidemic Intelligence Service, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. dot9@cdc.gov
Blanton
Jesse D
JD
Auslander
Michael
M
Rupprecht
Charles E
CE
D004363:Drug Utilization; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D056990:Post-Exposure Prophylaxis; D011818:Rabies / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology