Rabies risk factors: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 18:52, 18 September 2017
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Overview
A bite from an infected animal is the biggest risk factor. People that live in an area, or travel to an area that has a large incidence for rabies, are at a high risk for acquiring rabies from a rabid animal. Handling certain wild animals such as bats or raccoons will put a person at a higher risk.
Risk Factors
Animal Bite
Several recently publicized cases have stemmed from bats, which are known to be a vector for rabies. See the Rabies and bats section below. In October 2004 a female brown bear killed one human and injured several others near the city of Braşov in Central Romania. The bear was killed by human hunters and diagnosed with rabies. More than one hundred humans were vaccinated afterwards.
Transmission through Organ Transplants
Rabies is known to have been transmitted between humans by transplant surgery.
Infections by corneal transplant have been reported in Thailand (2 cases), India (2 cases), Iran (2 cases),[1] the United States (1 case), and France (1 case).[2] Details of two further cases of infection resulting from corneal transplants were described in 1996.
Associated Press reports that "Donated organs are never tested for rabies. The strain detected in the victims' bodies is one commonly found in bats, health officials said." According to CNN "Rabies tests are not routine donor screening tests, Virginia McBride, public health organ donation specialist with the Health Resources and Services Administration, said. The number of tests is limited because doctors have only about six hours from the time a patient is declared brain-dead until the transplantation must begin for the organs to maintain viability."
Risks for Travellers
Rabies vaccination is not a requirement for entry into any country. However, travelers to rabies-endemic countries should be warned about the risk of acquiring rabies and educated in animal bite prevention strategies (12-16). Travelers with extensive unprotected outdoor exposure such as might be experienced while bicycling, camping, hiking, or engaging in certain occupational activities, might be at higher risk even if their trip is brief. Also, children are considered at higher risk because of their tendencies to play with animals and to not report bites. Casual exposure to cave air is not a concern, but cavers should be warned not to handle bats (3).