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

Ajaya Krishnan P; Subhash B Thakre; Uday W Narlawar; Nilesh Jadhao; Shubhangi S  Bembade; Deepika Nair B R

Ajaya Krishnan P Postgraduate Student, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur, India. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1821-8049
Subhash B Thakre Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Sawangi, Wardha, India.
Uday W Narlawar Professor & Head, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur, India.
Nilesh Jadhao Taluka Health Officer, Gondia, Maharashtra, India.
Shubhangi S Bembade Postgraduate Student, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur, India.
Deepika Nair B R Postgraduate Student, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur, India.

Keywords: Animal Bites, Rabies, Epidemiology, Seasonal Trend

Abstract

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

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