关键词: 狂犬病, 流行特征, 监测

Abstract:

Objective　To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of rabies in Guangzhou from 1980 to 2010. Methods　A retrospective analysis was conducted using rabies epidemic data and case reports. Canine brain samples from endemic areas were also collected for antigen detection using immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and RT-PCR. Results　From 1980 to 2010, 655 human rabies cases were reported in Guangzhou, including 597 cases from 1980 through 1989, which accounted for 91.15%; and 45 cases from 2005 to 2010, accounting for 6.87%. These data show two epidemic peaks in the past thirty years. Male patients outnumbered females; most were aged 10 to 55 years and were students, migrant workers or farmers. Eighty-six dogs were captured in the epidemic areas. However, no viral antigens were detected in the brain tissues using immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. Conclusion　Two epidemic peaks of rabies in humans were observed in the past thirty years in Guangzhou. In the 1980s, morbidity rose quickly after exposure due to low vaccination rates in both dogs and humans. After 2005, as a result of increasing numbers of domestic dogs, decreasing public awareness of rabies, absence of proper wound treatment and post-exposure immunization, rabies incidence increased. However, negative findings in the 86 dogs studied suggest low prevalence of rabies virus in domestic dogs in Guangzhou.

Key words: Rabies, Epidemiological characteristics, Surveillance