Rate of treatment demand of Omsk region population due to injuries caused by animals: dynamics and structure

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the rate of treatment demand after contact with animals in the Omsk region.Materials and methods: we used data of rate of treatment demand of Omsk region population due to injuries caused by animals in 2009–2022. A descriptive-evaluative epidemiological research method was used. The characteristics of injuries from domestic owned (dogs and cats with an owner), domestic stray (stray dogs and cats) and wild (including synanthropic rodents) animals are analyzed.Results: in 2009–2022 in the Omsk region, 65142 people were injured by animals, which amounted to an average of 4653 complaints per year. Appeals from children aged 0–17 years old amounted to 36,5%, and from children aged 0–14 — 30,2% of the total. The leading role belongs to injuries caused by domestic animals — 67,1%, and of these, in 75,4% of cases — by dogs. An increase in calls regarding attacks by stray dogs has been established and is extremely pronounced regarding attacks by stray cats. The number of calls regarding bites from wild animals, namely squirrels and wild and synanthropic rodents, has increased significantly.Conclusions: In order to reduce the frequency of dangerous contacts with wild animals, in particular with squirrels, as well as with pets, it is necessary to carry out sanitary educational work with the population, especially children. The issue of installing warning boards in parks with a ban on hand-feeding squirrels, and installing feeding tables and feeders should be considered.