OBJECTIVE: To describe cases of human rabies in Ceará State, Brazil between 1970 and 2019. METHODS: This was a descriptive study using secondary data from the Ceará State Department of Health and the state reference hospital. RESULTS: Of 171 cases, 75.7% occurred in males, 60.0% in <19-year-olds, and 56.0% in urban areas. Rabies was transmitted by dogs in 74.0% of cases, marmosets in 16.7% and bats in 7.3%. Between 1970 and 1978, there was an increase of cases (using the Joinpoint Regression Program, annual percentage change [APC] = 13.7 - 95%CI 4.6;41.5), while between 1978 and 2019 there was a decrease (APC = -6.7 - 95%CI -8.8;-5.9). There was a reduction in transmission by dogs (71 cases, last case in 2010) and an increase by sylvatic animals (5 cases since 2005). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates changes in rabies transmission dynamics during the period studied, with a reduction in transmission by dogs and an increase of transmission by sylvatic animals.
OBJECTIVE: To describe cases of human rabies in Ceará State, Brazil between 1970 and 2019. METHODS: This was a descriptive study using secondary data from the Ceará State Department of Health and the state reference hospital. RESULTS: Of 171 cases, 75.7% occurred in males, 60.0% in <19-year-olds, and 56.0% in urban areas. Rabies was transmitted by dogs in 74.0% of cases, marmosets in 16.7% and bats in 7.3%. Between 1970 and 1978, there was an increase of cases (using the Joinpoint Regression Program, annual percentage change [APC] = 13.7 - 95%CI 4.6;41.5), while between 1978 and 2019 there was a decrease (APC = -6.7 - 95%CI -8.8;-5.9). There was a reduction in transmission by dogs (71 cases, last case in 2010) and an increase by sylvatic animals (5 cases since 2005). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates changes in rabies transmission dynamics during the period studied, with a reduction in transmission by dogs and an increase of transmission by sylvatic animals.
Authors: Ferdinand D Guzman; Yuta Iwamoto; Nobuo Saito; Eumelia P Salva; Efren M Dimaano; Akira Nishizono; Motoi Suzuki; Oladeji Oloko; Koya Ariyoshi; Chris Smith; Christopher M Parry; Rontgene M Solante Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2022-07-19