[Rabies in children: an often unknown risk among populations at risk]

Rabies is a public health problem in many African countries including Burkina Faso. Although animal bites, including dog bites, are relatively common, the persistence of public ignorance about their risk means that children who are bitten may receive no prophylaxis and are thus at serious risk. We report two cases of early childhood rabies in the past 2 years; both children were bitten by infected dogs. The clinical manifestations were those of encephalitis, with agitation and hydrophobia. In the absence of a reference laboratory for human rabies testing, confirmation of this diagnosis was not possible. Neither child received prophylaxis after being bitten. These cases are a reminder that rabies remains a problems today, a disease to which humans and animals of all ages are subject. Access to prevention messages about post-exposure prophylaxis against this disease is essential, for it is always fatal once its symptoms appear. Awareness and education about rabies should be intensified in view of the widespread ignorance of this risk.