[Characteristics of biting animals submitted to rabies diagnosis, São Paulo State, Brazil, 1993-2007].
Epidemiological factors related to animal bites in humans and other animals were obtained from a database with 10,616 records of animal specimens sent for rabies diagnosis in northwest São Paulo State, Brazil, from 1993 to 2007. Of this total, 61.5% contained information on the bites, and among the biting animals (25%), the majority were dogs (67%), followed by cats (21.8%), and bats (8.1%). In 92.1% of the reports the victims were humans, and 82.3% of the animals were home pets. The majority of the biting dogs were less than a year old. There was a significant association (p < 0.0001) between aggressiveness and gender (with male animals more aggressive than females). Of the rabies-positive animals, 75.9% (183/241) were biters. The data are important for establishing bite prevention programs based on the profile of both victims and biting animals, besides identifying risk factors for animal bites.
Buso
Daniel Sartore
DS
Curso de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Rua Clóvis Pestana 793, Araçatuba, Brazil.
Nunes
Caris Maroni
CM
Queiroz
Luzia Helena
LH
D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011818:Rabies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage
D011819:Rabies Vaccines