An outbreak of bat-transmitted human rabies in a village in the Brazilian Amazon.
During 45 days without electrical power, 57 individuals (8.7% of the population) from the village of Antônio Dino (municipality of Turiaçu, Northeastern Brazil) were attacked by bats and 16 died from human rabies. The aim of the study was to analyze the factors associated with bat attacks and the development of human rabies. Of the 46 individuals, who suffered bat attacks, 36 (78.3%) were under 17 years of age. The risk factors associated with bat attacks were age under 17 years, having observed bats inside the bedroom and having been without electrical power in the house. Age under 17 years and having been without electrical power in the house were factors associated with human rabies.
Mendes
Wellington da Silva
Wda S
Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Rua Barão de Itapary 155, São Luís, MA, Brazil. aasilva@ufma.br
Silva
Antônio Augusto Moura da
AA
Neiva
Romerito Fonseca
RF
Costa
Nicolle Matos
NM
Assis
Maressa Soares de
MS
Vidigal
Priscila Maria Oliveira
PM
Branco
Maria dos Remédios Freitas Carvalho
Mdos R
Leite
Maria da Graça Lírio
Mda G
Rios
Jakeline Maria Trinta
JM
Martins
José Orlando Sousa
JO
Waquin Neto
Salim Jorge
SJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000821:virology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011818:Rabies / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission