Profile of human anti-rabies care and post-exposure prophylaxis in the state of São Paulo

• Main Author: da Costa Andrade, Bruno Fonseca Martins [UNESP]
• Publication Date: 2023
• Other Authors: Queiroz, Luzia Helena [UNESP], Marinho, Márcia [UNESP]
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositório Institucional da UNESP
• Download full: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0473-2022; http://hdl.handle.net/11449/249821
• topic: Bites; Disease notification; Post-exposure Prophylaxis; Rabies

Background: Rabies is an anthropozoonosis that greatly impacts public health and is transmitted by infected mammals. Aggression by animals is notifiable and may result in anti-rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). This study aimed to characterize anti-rabies PEP notifications in São Paulo state, Brazil. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted using data provided by the SINAN between 2013 and 2017. Results: A total of 572,889 aggressions were recorded during the study period, characterized mostly by dogs (83.5%), single wounds (56.9%), superficial wounds (58.6%), and hands/feet (34.6%). Conclusions: Animal observation was the most frequent recommendation, even in cases of attacks from non-domestic animals.