Quantifying and mapping the burden of human and animal rabies in Iraq

Abstract

Rabies was first reported in ancient Iraqi civilizations, yet it remains a poorly quantified and important public health threat in the region. Efforts to control rabies in Iraq including dog population control, and vaccination of livestock and dogs, have increased since 2010. Officially reported data on human rabies, dog bites, and animal rabies cases between 2012 and 2017 are analysed here to assess the effect of existing control efforts, to inform future strategies, and to highlight gaps in surveillance and reporting. The results of molecular characterization of 32 viruses from animal cases from throughout Iraq are presented, to improve the understanding of rabies dynamics in the animal reservoir. Although annual numbers of reported human cases were lower in the period between 2012 and 2017 than prior to 2010, human cases continue. There was a distinct gender and age bias among human cases with nine cases in males for every one female and twice as many cases in children than adults. Spatial clustering analysis and phylogenetic evidence suggests rabies is endemic throughout the country, with no regional variation in risk, but better surveillance and reporting is required to underpin control strategies.

A Retrospective Analysis of Mammal Bites in Kuwait: Seasonality, Demographics, and Occupations

“…In neighboring Iraq, Al Muthanna Province, located on the Kuwaiti borders, is considered one of the hotspots for rabies with 0.42-0.62 cases per 100,000 population (Ismail et al, 2020). Dogs can cross the Iraqi-Kuwaiti borders and may incur rabies-related health problems in Kuwait.…”

Lesiones ocasionadas por mordeduras de perros en niños atendidos en un hospital de tercer nivel de Bolivia

“…En LMIC se estima una incidencia anual de 0,06-0,08 casos por 100 000 habitantes, y casi la mitad son niños ≤15 años. 3,4 Siendo la prevención y la vigilancia el pilar fundamental en el control de la enfermedad, la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) reconoce la falta de publicaciones científicas acerca de las mordeduras de perros en LMIC, y limitaciones al aplicar medidas preventivas adecuadas, implementar nuevas o evaluar la eficacia de las actuales, 5 de tal manera que el estudio contribuirá al conocimiento de estas condiciones. El presente estudio pretende caracterizar las lesiones provocadas por perros en niños menores de 15 años de un hospital pediátrico de referencia en un LMIC.…”

Dog bite injuries in children seen at a tertiary care hospital in Bolivia

“…In LMICs, the estimated annual incidence is 0.06-0.08 cases per 100 000 inhabitants; almost half of them occur in children ≤ 15 years of age. 3,4 Given that prevention and surveillance are the main pillars in rabies control, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recognizes the lack of scientific publications on dog bites in LMICs and the limitations in implementing adequate preventive measures, implementing new measures, or assessing the effectiveness of current measures, 5 so this study will contribute to the knowledge of these conditions. The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics of dog bite injuries in children younger than 15 years seen at a referral children's hospital in a LMIC.…”