[Evaluation of the prophylactic anti-rabies vaccination program for adults carried out by the Center for Rabies Prevention in Białystok, 1992-2001].

BACKGROUND Rabies is a potential danger to the human health. Therefore, people who had contact with suspected or rabid animals should be vaccinated. The objective of the study was to evaluate the prophylactic anti-rabies vaccination program in Białystok. MATERIALS AND METHODS In all, 2005 persons exposed to rabies after contact with suspected or rabid animals were examined at the Center for Rabies Prevention in Białystok. Of this number, 719 (35.86%) persons were eligible for vaccination. RESULTS Rabies was confirmed in 45% of suspected animals. The largest number of persons subjected to vaccination has been bitten or slobbered by dogs (42.28%), cattle (19.05%), red foxes (18.64%), cats (6.95%), rats (3.62%), bats (1.52%) and squirrels (0.56%). Hands (60%0 and shanks (12%) were the most frequently injured parts of the human body. The vaccinated group of patients included 63% of males and 37% of females; 62.47% of rural and 36.63% of urban inhabitants. Vaccines were administered 0, 3, 7, 14, 28 days after exposure. Neither serious side effects, nor local inflammations were reported. CONCLUSIONS 1. Although prevention of rabies among wild animals continues, the number of persons vaccinated after rabies exposure still remains at the same level in the city and the region of Białystok. 2. The highest percentage of vaccinated persons had been bitten or slobbered by rabid or suspected domestic animals. 3. It is believed that the continuation of the vaccination program among wild animals will diminish the range of prophylactic vaccination among humans.