Publication:

A study of human rabies cases admitted in infectious disease hospital KGMU, Lucknow, North India

Background Rabies is only communicable disease of man that is always fatal but easily preventable disease, if animal bites are appropriately and timely managed. It is estimated that India continues to report every year 25,000 to 30,000 human rabies deaths. The objective of this study was to describe the clinic epidemiological characteristics of human rabies.

Methods Analysis of the records of probable rabies cases admitted into the Infectious Diseases Hospital, KGMU, Lucknow during 2010-2014.

Results Total 490 human rabies cases were admitted during study period. Majority (63.26%) of the victims were between 12-60 years of age. Males constituted 83.47% of cases and victims from rural areas were 92.65%. Principal biting animal was dog (94.29%). Majority of the cases (77.96%) were not vaccinated. Most of the cases (93.47%) left against medical advice within 24 hours after admission.

Conclusions Rabies is a major health problem in this part of India. The data indicates that there is still much to do for mitigation of this menace and the crux of the problem is the epidemiological trend has not changed much. Hence, there is an immediate and urgent need to educate the community and health workers about the importance of immediate and adequate post-exposure treatment. Prevention strategies are critical to better manage rabies in these endemic areas.