APCRI Journal (E-ISSN: 0973-5038)

From the Editor’s Desk

Tanushree Mondal — 2025-04-30

I took charge as the Editor of APCRI Journal on August 4, 2024, at the 24th APCRICON held at Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Soon after returning to Kolkata, on August 9, 2024, the unfortunate incident of the Abhaya
case happened in my medical college, which shook not only the state but also the entire country.

How to cite this article:
Mondal T. From the Editor’s Desk. APCRI J. 2024;
26(2): 1-2

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0973.5038.202406

Treat, Educate, Prevent: The Medical Community’s Role in Rabies Prevention

Reeta S Mani — 2025-04-30

Rabies is one of the deadliest viral diseases, with a near 100% fatality rate once clinical symptoms appear. However, it is entirely preventable with timely, adequate, and appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis
(PEP). India, which reports the highest number of human rabies deaths globally, has made significant strides in raising awareness about PEP. However, incomplete adherence to the PEP regimen remains a major
challenge.

How to cite this article:
Mani R S. Treat, Educate, Prevent: The Medical
Community’s Role in Rabies Prevention. APCRI
J. 2024; 26(2): 3-4.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0973.5038.202407

Adverse Effects Following Intradermal Anti Rabies Vaccination: An Observational Study at the Largest Government Hospital of Rajasthan

Aleena Ishtiyaque Butt — 2025-04-30

Introduction: Rabies is a Lyssavirus-caused progressive, acute and lethal encephalomyelitis present in over 150 countries. Using cell culture vaccines (CCV) for post-exposure immunization is an efficient and safe preventative measure. Although CCVs are the least reactogenic, studies have shown mild to severe side effects.
Objectives: To estimate the proportion of patients experiencing adverse effects after receiving intradermal anti-rabies vaccination and describe their clinico-social profile at the anti-rabies clinic, SMS Hospital, Jaipur
Methods: A hospital-based, descriptive, observational study was conducted among 392 animal bite patients at the anti-rabies clinic of SMS Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan from August 2023 to January 2024. All the patients of animal bites of Category II and III (not receiving rabies immunoglobulin) were included in the study. The collection of data was done using a pre-designed, pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, administered by the interviewer.
Results: Out of 392 animal bite patients, 301 were male (76.8%) and 91 were female (23.2%); 27% of the total reported experiencing adverse effects. Pain at the injection site (8.2%) was the most commonly
reported symptom, followed by tingling sensation (4.6%), headache (4%), redness (3.6%), fever (3%), itching (2.3%) and fatigue (1.3%). Most of the symptoms appeared within 4 to 12 hours post-vaccination and
resolved without any medication. No severe adverse effects following vaccination were reported.
Conclusion: Some reactions were noted after administration of the vaccine by intradermal route but most were mild and self-limiting, thus the anti-rabies vaccine is a safe and effective tool against rabies
and can be administered safely by intradermal route.

How to cite this article:
Butt A I, Rathore M, Kumari N, Singh D, Patel
H. Adverse Effects Following Intradermal Anti
Rabies Vaccination: An Observational Study at
the Largest Government Hospital of Rajasthan.
APCRI J. 2024; 26(2): 5-9.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0973.5038.202408

Epidemiological Pattern and Trend of Animal Exposures Reported to a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kerala

Bhagyalakshmi Mahadevan Kanchana — 2025-04-30

Introduction: Rabies is a vaccine-preventable zoonotic disease. Globally, dogs account for up to 99% of all human rabies transmissions. The importance of our study is that the knowledge about the epidemiological pattern and the trends in animal exposure cases will help to identify the exact burden of the disease and the need for further actions required to achieve the target of elimination of dog-mediated human rabies.
Methods: A record-based descriptive study was done in the anti-rabies clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Southern Kerala in which all the cases reported to the clinic from January 1, 2019 to December 31,2024 were included.
Results: A total of 69,801 animal exposure cases were reported in the anti-rabies clinic from January 2019 to December 2024 with an average/ mean of 11,634 (standard deviation: 4679) animal exposure cases per year. The majority of cases had exposure to dogs (58.4%) among which domestic dog exposure was most common (64%). There was an increase in cases from 2019 to 2024 and in 2020; the number of cases was on the lesser side following the COVID-19 pandemic. While analyzing the trend, the maximum number of cases were reported
during the months of April–May and August–December.
Conclusion: As there is ample evidence that the number of animal exposure cases is on the rise, it is high time that we intervene for the prevention and control of rabies.

How to cite this article:
Kanchana B M, Krishnan J, Ushakumari A. Epidemiological Pattern and Trend of Animal Exposures Reported to a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kerala. APCRI J. 2024; 26(2): 10-13.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0973.5038.202409

Epidemiological Pattern and Trends of Animal Bite Cases: A Record-Based Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Central India

Ajaya Krishnan P — 2025-04-30

Introduction: Animal bites not only lead to rabies-related deaths but also place substantial demands on resources needed for wound care and vaccination. To support the World Health Organization’s aim of eradicating dog-mediated human rabies by the year 2030, robust epidemiological surveillance is essential for accurately assessing disease impact and trends.
Objective: To assess the epidemiological patterns and the trends of animal bite cases reported to the Anti-Rabies Clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Central India
Methods: This record-based retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed animal bite cases reported to the Anti-Rabies Clinic from January 2022 to June 2024, at a tertiary healthcare center in Nagpur. The study spanned two months, encompassing all reported animal bite cases during the specified period.
Results: Among reported cases, 88.13% were categorized as severe (Category III) bites, with dogs responsible for 87.69% of incidents. Children under 18 years and young adults, particularly males (66.11%), were more susceptible to animal bites. Seasonal analysis indicated an increase in cases, with the highest frequency observed in summer.
Conclusion: Stray dog bites, especially unprovoked, still remain a major public health concern,disproportionately affecting young males and children, with cases peaking during summer and monsoon seasons as demonstrated in the present study. To address this, it is essential to implement population control measures and mass immunization for stray dogs, promote pet vaccination, conduct regular educational programs, and align vaccine supply with seasonal bite trends across healthcare facilities.

How to cite this article:
Krishnan P A, Thakre S B, Narlawar U W, Jadhao N, Bembade S S, Nair B R D. Epidemiological Pattern and Trends of Animal Bite Cases: A Record-Based Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Central India. APCRI J. 2024; 26(2): 14-20.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0973.5038.202410

Evaluation of Anti-Rabies Antibody Titers in Vaccinated Dogs from Mumbai and Navi Mumbai Using Indirect ELISA

S A Jadhav — 2025-04-30

Bovine Rabies - A Neglected Livestock Disease: A Looming Concern in the Indian Subcontinent

Swapna Susan Abraham — 2025-04-30

Bovine rabies is a global animal and public health concern. There remains a poor understanding of the true disease burden and economic impact. In low-income developing countries that rely primarily on livestock,
the losses are substantial. Because of the total dependence on cattle rearing for the rural economy in the Indian subcontinent countries, it is becoming a matter of concern. Considering the overwhelming effects of livestock rabies, especially bovine rabies in the Indian subcontinent region, this article collates information regarding various aspects of the issue and highlights the importance of developing targeted bespoke intervention strategies. Cattle are always at higher risk of exposure facilitated by traditional rearing and farming practices. Economic impact includes trade restrictions on livestock products, losses in the livestock industry, and financial burdens on the government and farmers due to control measures. Epidemiology of rabies in cattle is multifactorial, but more or less similar in the Indian subcontinent. Under-reporting, poor surveillance, lack of facilities to diagnose animal rabies, lack of internationally approved protocols for vaccination, knowledge gap
on the management of exposed and diseased animals, neglect in the government livestock disease control programs, and the utopian task of canine rabies control are the major challenges. Successful bovine rabies control would need targeted measures at the species level such as investing in vaccination and control measures, strengthening surveillance, and improving farmer awareness. Simultaneous efforts in controlling rabies in livestock along with canine rabies control can contribute to achieving the global goal of ‘zero rabies by 30’. With little emphatic support from the global community to address bovine rabies, countries of the Indian subcontinent may have to develop indigenous capacity, as the depth of the issue is regional rather than global.

How to cite this article:
Abraham S S. Bovine Rabies - A Neglected Livestock Disease: A Looming Concern in the Indian Subcontinent. APCRI J. 2024; 26(2): 30-36.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0973.5038.202412

Rodent Bite – A Dilemma for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis – A Case Report

Durga Madhab Satapathy — 2024-12-31

Rat bites are a significant public health issue worldwide. The actual number of rat bites is likely underreported as not all cases are reported to health authorities. In urban slums, overcrowding is a major factor responsible for the increasing incidence of rodent bites. The pediatric age and those belonging to low-income groups are commonly affected.

How to cite this article:
Satapathy D M, Sethy D, Behera A, Rajagopalan
V. Rodent Bite – A Dilemma for Post-Exposure
Prophylaxis – A Case Report. APCRI J. 2024; 26(2):
37-38.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0973.5038.202413