1. Mass Human Exposure to Rabies in New Hampshire: Exposures, Treatment, and Cost.
- Author
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Noah, Donald L., Smith, M. Geoffrey, Gotthardt, Joan C., Krebs, John W., Green, Douglas, and Child, James E.
- Subjects
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RABIES , *VIRUS diseases , *PET shops - Abstract
Objectives. This study assessed the rabies exposure and treatment that at least 665 persons in Concord, NH, received as a result of one proven rabid pet-store kitten in October 1994. Methods. All treatment recipients were interviewed by person or phone. Results. The median age of the treatment recipients was 14 years; 58% were female. The most common exposures were low risk (e.g., picking up, petting, nuzzling, or being scratched by a potentially rabid kitten). Local reactions to vaccine or immune globulin were reported by 76.5% of recipients, while 48.8% reported at least one systemic reaction. Cost for the biologicals was estimated at more than $1.1 million. Conclusions. Because of the inadequacy of pet store records, the inconsistent application of treatment guidelines, and other factors, many people received postexposure treatment as a result of contacts that were unlikely to transmit rabies. The rates of local and systemic adverse reactions experienced were consistent with previous reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 1996
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