An outbreak of bat-transmitted human rabies in a village in the Brazilian Amazon

Authors

  • Wellington da Silva Mendes Universidade Federal do Maranhão; Departamento de Patologia
  • Antônio Augusto Moura da Silva UFMA; Departamento de Saúde Pública
  • Romerito Fonseca Neiva UFMA
  • Nicolle Matos Costa UFMA
  • Maressa Soares de Assis UFMA
  • Priscila Maria Oliveira Vidigal UFMA
  • Maria dos Remédios Freitas Carvalho Branco Universidade Federal do Maranhão; Departamento de Patologia
  • Maria da Graça Lírio Leite Secretaria Estadual de Saúde
  • Jakeline Maria Trinta Rios Secretaria Estadual de Saúde
  • José Orlando Sousa Martins Secretaria Estadual de Saúde
  • Salim Jorge Waquin Neto Secretaria Estadual de Saúde

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102009005000073

Keywords:

Rabies^i1^sepidemiol, Disease Reservoirs, Chiroptera, Disease Outbreaks, Epidemiologic Surveillance, Zoonoses

Abstract

During 45 days without electrical power, 57 individuals (8.7% of the population) from the village of Antônio Dino (municipality of Turiaçu, Northeastern Brazil) were attacked by bats and 16 died from human rabies. The aim of the study was to analyze the factors associated with bat attacks and the development of human rabies. Of the 46 individuals, who suffered bat attacks, 36 (78.3%) were under 17 years of age. The risk factors associated with bat attacks were age under 17 years, having observed bats inside the bedroom and having been without electrical power in the house. Age under 17 years and having been without electrical power in the house were factors associated with human rabies.

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Published

2009-12-01

Issue

Vol. 43 No. 6 (2009)

Section

Brief Communication

How to Cite

Mendes, W. da S., Silva, A. A. M. da, Neiva, R. F., Costa, N. M., Assis, M. S. de, Vidigal, P. M. O., Branco, M. dos R. F. C., Leite, M. da G. L., Rios, J. M. T., Martins, J. O. S., & Waquin Neto, S. J. (2009). An outbreak of bat-transmitted human rabies in a village in the Brazilian Amazon . Revista De Saúde Pública, 43(6), 1075-1077. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102009005000073