Rat-bite fever epidemiology and demographics

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Epidemiology and Demographics

Rat-bite fever is rare in the United States. However, since RBF is not a notifiable disease, exact numbers of cases are not known.

Rat-bite fever is not a reportable disease in any state. However, unexplained deaths or critical illnesses or rare diseases of public health importance may be reportable in certain states. If RBF is suspected in a severe illness or death but a diagnosis has not been made, physicians can consider reporting the case to their state or local health department.

Since Rat-bite fever is not a reportable disease, trends in disease incidence are not available. However, recent reports have highlighted the potential risk for RBF among persons having contact with rats at home or in the workplace.

The disease has been seen in

• Africa

• Australia

• Europe

• Japan

• North and South America