Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis, New York, 1995–2000

摘要

The epidemiology of human rabies postexposure pro-phylaxis (PEP) in 4 upstate New York counties wasdescribed from data obtained from 2,216 incidences ofPEP recorded by local health departments from 1995 to2000. Overall annual incidence for the study period was 27cases per 100,000 persons. Mean annual PEP incidencerates were highest in rural counties and during the summermonths. PEP incidence was highest among patients 5–9and 30–34 years of age. Bites accounted for most PEP(51%) and were primarily associated with cats and dogs.Bats accounted for 30% of exposures, more than any othergroup of animals; consequently, bats have replaced rac-coons as the leading rabies exposure source to humans inthis area