DESCRIPTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ANIMAL BITES IN INDIANA, 1990-92 - A RATIONALE FOR INTERVENTION

Animal bites are a reality of life throughout the world. They arise ou t of an imperfect relationship with domestic animals and wildlife. Mos t bite injuries are preventable. The principal approaches to community -wide bite prevention programs include reducing the number of domestic animals roaming in the community (animal control) and teaching people to refrain from behaviors likely to provoke bites. This article addre sses the epidemiologic basis and justification for a bite prevention p rogram targeted toward children. Animal bite data from Indiana for the years 1990, 1991, and 1992 were analyzed for trends that might sugges t opportunities for preventive intervention. Bites inflicted by humans were not included in this data base. Children of all age groups were disproportionately affected, with the highest incidence in the 5-9 yea r age group. The dog and the cat were the most commonly reported bitin g animals. Wild and pet rodents were the next most frequent biting gro up. The bites most frequently reported from nonrodent wild animals wer e inflicted by raccoons. The incidence of animal bites in children pea ked during the spring (April-June). Boys were bitten at a higher rate than girls, but this difference between the sexes narrows with age and was not noted in the adult population. Residents of urban counties (p opulation greater than 100,000) had higher reported bite rates than re sidents of nonurban counties.