Incidence of canine rabies in N’Djaména, Chad

• Published in: Preventive veterinary medicine 2003-11, Vol.61 (3), p.227-233
• Main Authors: Kayali, U., Mindekem, R., Yémadji, N., Oussiguéré, A., Naı&#x0308, ssengar, S., Ndoutamia, A.G., Zinsstag, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; aggression; Animals; Bites and Stings - epidemiology; Canine rabies; capital; Cat Diseases - epidemiology; Cat Diseases - etiology; Cat Diseases - prevention & control; Cats; Chad; Chad - epidemiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Dog Diseases - epidemiology; Dog Diseases - etiology; Dog Diseases - prevention & control; Dogs; Female; Human exposure; Humans; Incidence; Male; N’Djaména; Ownership; people; Population Surveillance - methods; rabies; Rabies - epidemiology; Rabies - prevention & control; Rabies - veterinary; risk; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; vaccination; Vaccination - veterinary; wound treatment
• ISSN: 0167-5877; 1873-1716
• DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2003.07.002

This work describes for the first time the incidence risk of passively reported canine rabies, and quantifies reported human exposure in N’Djaména (the capital of Chad). To diagnose rabies, we used a direct immunofluorescent-antibody test (IFAT). From January 2001 to March 2002, we were brought 34 rabies cases in dogs and three cases in cats. Canine cases were geographically clustered. The annual incidence risk of canine rabies was 1.4 (95% CI: 1.2, 1.7) per 1000 unvaccinated dogs. Most of the rabid dogs were owned—although free-roaming and not vaccinated against rabies. Most showed increased aggressiveness and attacked people without being provoked. Eighty-one persons were exposed to rabid dogs and four persons to rabid cats (mostly children