Human rabies epidemiology in Shandong Province, China

Rabies has reemerged in China. National rabies surveillance is centralized and based mainly on six provincial stations, including one in Shandong Province, which are selected and monitored by the China CDC. Data collection includes human rabies cases (diagnosed by local hospitals on the basis of signs or symptoms), documentation of post-exposure prophylaxis, primary laboratory diagnosis of suspect animal cases, and investigation of dog or other animal bites in viral transmission. Of the 408 human rabies cases reported during the period 2003-2007, most involved middle-aged male farmers bitten by their own unvaccinated dogs, with a seasonal peak in the autumn. These data provide key pointers regarding rabies prevention and control based upon an objective evidence-based framework.