Cases of Pet Bites and Rabies during 2005-2015: An Epidemiological Study from Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

This chapter highlights to draw an epidemiological profile, to col- lect data likely to support the arguments in favor of the creation of a program of control against rabies, to formulate recommendations for close monitoring of this zoonosis in Lubumbashi. Rabies is lethal encephalitis induced by neurotropic viruses to RNA belonging to the Rhabdoviridae family and to the Lyssa virus genus. This cross-sectional descriptive study took into account data included from all bite victims received at the rabies center from January 2005 to December 2015. People over the age of 15 are the main victims of canine bites (62.1%), more than half of the victims are male (55.9%); dogs represent the majority of biting animals (96.4%) of which around 3/4 are unvaccinated (71.37%). Two municipalities are more affected: Lubumbashi (prevalence 83.35/100,000 and Kampemba (Prevalence 51.74/100,000). LBite peaks were observed from July to October (p = 0.01). Rabies is most common in children under the age of 15 in average, 40% of post-exposure vaccinations are given to children aged 5 to 14 and the majority of vaccinated individuals are boys. For the 34 people seen with clinical signs of rabies encephalitis (confirmed case of rabies), the case fatality rate was 100%. Rabies is a major problem in Lubumbashi but its ex- tent is different depending on the municipality. The authorities must immediately establish a rabies control programme, educate the populace and support partners, make canine vaccination mandatory, and make rabies vaccine available to bite victims in order to eradicate rabies. Regarding the vaccination coverage of dogs, it remains incredibly low.