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Animal bites and rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, active and reserve components, U.S. Armed Forces, 2011-2018
MSMR
|October 29, 2019
Summary
Animal bites are a significant concern for U.S. Armed Forces members, especially during overseas deployments. Dog bites are most common, and rabies prevention education is crucial for deployed personnel.
Area of Science:
- Military Medicine
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Animal bites represent a notable health risk for U.S. military personnel.
- Understanding the epidemiology of animal bites is essential for force health protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence and characteristics of animal bite diagnoses within the U.S. Armed Forces from 2011 to 2018.
- To identify trends and risk factors associated with animal bites, particularly in deployed settings.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of medical encounter data for U.S. active and reserve component service members.
- Calculation of incidence rates and examination of bite demographics, including service branch, component, and occupation.
- Analysis of bite etiology, focusing on the proportion attributed to dogs and association with rabies prophylaxis.
Main Results:
- Over 22,000 animal bite diagnoses occurred between 2011-2018, with 4.0% in overseas theaters.
- Enlisted members and those in law enforcement or veterinary roles experienced higher incidence rates.
- Dog bites comprised approximately 75% of all cases, with limited rabies prophylaxis documentation.
Conclusions:
- Animal bites pose a persistent threat to military readiness, with a notable burden during deployments.
- Targeted prevention strategies and enhanced rabies education are recommended for service members deploying to enzootic regions.
