EPIDEMIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS AND PREVENTION OF RABIES

Three equally effective cell culture vaccines (HDCS, PCEC, and PVRV) a re available for vaccination against rabies which provide side-effect free protection against the virus after exposition when used correctly , Even small children and pregnant women can be vaccinated without ris k. In Germany, vaccination of foxes led to a decrease of rabies by 70 percent between 1984 and 1990. In 1992, the expert committee of the WH O published the results of the past ten years in form of a simplified table which can be used for deciding when to use vaccination of patien ts exposed to the virus. This table is in accord with the recommendati ons for vaccinations of the German Permanent Vaccination Committee of the Robert-Koch-Institute Berlin.