Evaluation of Cases Applied to Emergency Service with Suspected Rabies Exposure in the Past Year

Abstract

Introduction: Rabies is a zoonosis that can be transmitted by contact with an infected animal and results in death. Dog bites are the most common cause of human deaths. In this study, cases who applied to the emergency service of a training and research hospital in Istanbul due to suspected rabies exposure in the past year were examined. Our aim is to provide recommendations for reducing the need for prophylaxis after suspected exposure. Methods: Patients who presented to the emergency department due to suspected rabies exposure between September 2017 and August 2018 were included in the study. Data were obtained by examining the emergency service files of the pa- tients and the records kept by the hospital’s rabies treatment unit. The number of cats and dogs causing suspected exposure were compared with similar studies. p