Clinico-social Profile of Animal Bite Cases Attending Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Introduction: Rabies is primarily a communicable zoonotic disease of warm blooded animals particularly

carnivores, such as dogs, cats, jackals & wolves. It is an acute highly viral disease which affects the central

nervous system. It is the only communicable disease of man that is always fatal.

Objective: To study the clinico-social profile of animal bite cases attending tertiary care teaching hospital

in Maharashtra.

Method: A hospital based observational descriptive study was conducted amongst 6050 patients of animal

bite coming to the ARV OPD from 1st January 2014 to 31st December 2014 in tertiary care teaching hospital

in Maharashtra.

Results: In the present study, majority cases 3467(57.3%) were males, 2843 (47%) were in the age group

of 21 to 40 years. There were 4647(76.8%) unprovoked, 4127(68.2%) category III and 4780(79%) by non

observable animals bites. Most common site 4962(82%) was extremities. Maximum 2602(43%) cases

reported to ARV OPD within 24 hours of animal bite. Only 320(5.3%) cases have taken proper wound care

(washing with water and soap) as compared to 3206 (53%) cases who had taken no home management

for wound care. Active immunization (anti-rabies vaccine) was administered to 6001(99.2%) of cases and

passive immunization with anti-rabies serum (ARS) was advised in all 4126(68.2%) of category III patients.

Conclusion: Study concludes that patients should be made aware of immediate reporting of animal bites,

importance of proper care of wound and necessity of taking ARV and ARS. Information, Education and

Communication activities should be facilitated to promote public awareness about the prevention and

treatment of animal bite cases.