Abstract
Human Rabies Cluster Following Badger Bites, People’s Republic of China
Highlights
We investigated the cluster to ascertain characteristics of these exposures
We interviewed family members of casepatients and neighbors about the char
From February 2002 to April 2007, a total of 8 human rabies cases were reported from Coteau County
Summary
To the Editor: From February 2002 to April 2004, 7 rural residents of Coteau County (population 450,000) in western Zhejiang Province in eastern People’s Republic of China died of rabies following badger bites (Figure). From February 2002 to April 2007, a total of 8 human rabies cases were reported from Coteau County. The case-patients and family members did not know that badgers can transmit rabies and did not seek treatment or postexposure prophylaxis. These casepatients had no other exposure to bites from other potentially rabid animals in the 10 years before onset. Rabies following dog bites is the number-one cause of death from infectious diseases in China, in part because of absent or incomplete postexposure prophylaxis for poor rural residents. China is planning increased investment in rabies surveillance and prevention that will include recommended laboratory support and should help alleviate this situation in the future [3]
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