title: Stray dog trade fuelled by dog meat consumption as a risk factor for rabies infection in Calabar, southern Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rabies is a preventable zoonosis with the highest case fatality of any disease in the world. In the developing world, it is transmitted mainly by dog bites. In parts of southern Nigeria, dog meat is a delicacy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To highlight trade in stray dogs as a major risk factor for rabies in animals and humans in south-south Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients admitted into the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) with a diagnosis of rabies between July and October 2012 were analysed for risk factors, post exposure prophylaxis (PEP), health seeking behaviour and outcome. Focused group interview were also conducted among traders/handlers of stray dogs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten cases of rabies in subjects aged 3 to 52 years were recorded in these five months period. Eight of the cases were male and apparently got infected directly or indirectly through the trade in stray dogs for human consumption. None had proper PEP and all patients died.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stray dog trade, fuelled by eating of dog meat, is a risk factor for human and animal rabies in Calabar, southern Nigeria. Culling of stray dogs, control of stray dogs' trade and public enlightenment on PEP is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Calabar.
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Ekanem
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Calabar.
authors.forename: K I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Eyong
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar.
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Philip-Ephraim
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Calabar.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Eyong
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Calabar.
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Calabar.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Asindi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000821:virology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000821:virology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D056990:Post-Exposure Prophylaxis; D011818:Rabies / Q000401:mortality / Q000821:virology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D058012:Small Business; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult