Epidemiology of animal bites in Rafsanjan, southeast of Islamic Republic of Iran, 2003-05

The incidence of animal bites in the Islamic Republic of Iran has been increasing in recent years. In a descriptive study of 1542 patients referred to a health centre in Rafsanjan city from 2003 to 2005, the incidence of animal bites in the area was estimated as 180, 195 and 241 per 100 000 in 2003, 2004 and 2005 respectively. Of the patients, 74% were bitten by dogs, 23% by cats and 3% by other animals (monkeys, rats, foxes, bats, donkeys, etc.). The mean time delay from injury to initial management was 15.1 (SD 29.8) hours. Rabies vaccine was given to 85% of cases, rabies vaccine plus rabies immunoglobulin to 15% and tetanus toxoid vaccine to 66%.