Assessing Rabies Risk from Under-Vaccinated Owned Indigenous Dogs: Insights from Bite Incidents in a Veterinary Facility

Abstract

Background: Dog bites poses a significant global public health challenge with developing countries shouldering a disproportionate share of the resulting morbidity and mortality. In Plateau State, Nigeria, rising bite incidents in communities have raised concerns over rabies transmission to humans prompting the need for a closer examination of the incidence and associated risk factors.

Methods: From January to December, 2024, data were prospectively collected on dog bite victims presenting for professional consultation at the Veterinary Hospital Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom Nigeria. The study assessed incidence, demographics and rabies exposure risks. Information was collected on victim’s characteristics including age, sex, interval between exposure and hospital presentation as well as location and circumstances surrounding the bite. Data were also recorded on the offending dogs such as age, sex and rabies vaccination status. In cases where dog had died or was euthanized, brain tissue samples were tested using Direct Fluorescent Antibody Test (DFAT).

Results: The incidence of the dog bites was estimated at 46.6 bites per 100, 000 population. A majority (64.3%, 95%CI=0.56−0.72) of the victims reported the bite incident within 0−3 days of exposure.  Descriptive analysis showed that children and adolescents under 20 years of age accounted for 62.2% (95% CI=0.54−0.70) of the of the 143 victims of dog bites with a slight male predominance (53.1%, 95%ci=0.45−0.62). Most of the offending dogs were males, local breeds, aged one year and older. Notably, 77.6%; (95%CI=0.70−0.84) of these dogs were owned, yet 92. 3% (95%CI=0.87−0.96) either had no documented anti-rabies vaccination or had expired anti-rabies vaccination status. Of the thirty-six (36) brain tissue samples tested from dogs, 28 (77.8%, 95%CI=0.61−0.90) were positive for rabies.

Conclusion: These findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen public health interventions aim at reducing the incidence of dog bites and preventing rabies-related deaths.