[Factors constituting a threat to humans of rabies in Poland]

Today, there are two steps of human rabies impendence: a. exposures to rabid or rabies suspected animals b. human deaths due to rabies. Red foxes, dangerous rabies reservoir are responsible for the main tendency and spread of rabies in Poland (over 2000 cases in 1992). This has a direct bearing on the treatment of exposed persons and on rabies among unvaccinated domestic animals. The number of persons requesting post exposure rabies treatment is also increasing--6500 vaccinees in 1992. During last eight years no case of human death was registered in Poland. Mass parenteral canine vaccination campaign and effective control methods of rabies in dogs in Poland are the mostly successful and significant elements separating wild animal rabies from human society. Any inaccuracy on this field would be the risk of transmission of wild rabies to human surrounding.