Procedures for prevention of rabies in Slovenia

Abstract

Background: In spite of many years’ suppression, the rabies is still present worldwide and as a consequence poses a risk for human infection. A review of the system and evaluation of the efficacy of procedures performed by veterinary and health services for the prevention of rabies in Slovenia were carried out. Methods: Using retrospective investigation, the following data were analyzed: number of laboratory confirmed rabid animals (in the period from 1980 to 2009) and number of persons treated in antirabies outpatient departments, number of post-exposure vaccinated persons and number of persons that received human rabies immunoglobulin (in the period from 1992 to 2009). Results: Vaccination of foxes by dumping baits from the planes in Slovenia started in the year 1995. After that, the number of rabid wild animals decreased rapidly. In spite of that, the reduction of rabid animals has only limited influence on the post-exposure treatment of people. In the period 1992–2009 the number of treated persons ranged from 2681 to 4434 per year and declined over the years. The decision for the post-exposure vaccination of treated persons against rabies was made in 21.6 % of cases and for the application of human rabies immunoglobulin in 6.7 % of vaccinated persons. In 64 % of cases the postexposure vaccination was necessary owing to the bites caused by a dog of an unknown owner. Conclusion: As a result of good cooperation between veterinary and health services, Slovenia has been free of human rabies for 60 years. But nevertheless, we have not been able to eradicate the animal rabies yet. Because of great migration of people and animals there is also a permanent risk of imported rabies. The prevention of rabies must be continued with proven effective procedures.