Individual Animal Biting in the City of Mashhad (2006-2009)

There are about two millions of wounds caused by mammal biting annually. In our country, the current trend in the increasing cases of people bitten by animals remains of prime importance from sanitary-economic point of view. This study was carried out by determining and specifying the registered cases of animal biting for the last 3 years. The cases had referred to an anti rabies clinic in Mashhad. The present study tends to find out a more precise distribution rate of the disease in order to be able to have more efficacious plans and control in the community. Initially, all the files reflecting information about the patients who had referred to the anti-rabies clinic located in No. 2 Healthcare Center of Mashhad. The cases were studied separately for each year; i.e. the years of 1385 through 1387 HS. Then, based on the required data gathered. Distributive tables were made for each year. According to the findings of the study, 3809, 3294 and 3535 cases were bitten by animals in different regions in Mashhad during the years of 1385, 1386 and 1387, respectively. The percentage of bitten cases aging in a range of 10-19 years old was more than the incidents in the other groups. Also, the number of bitten males was more than the bitten females. In addition, it was found that the quantity of biting cases in urban areas was more than those in the rural regions. The findings also indicate that the amount of cases that received partial treatment was more than those who had complete treatments. Furthermore, most of the cases were bitten by dogs and the upper and the lower limbs were the most affected parts of the body. During warm seasons, young males are at risk of biting. After the incident, washing the wound with water and soap as well as rabies vaccination are recommended.