Human rabies in Lebanon: lessons for control

Human rabies is known to be endemic in countries bordering Lebanon, but its prevalence in Lebanon has not been studied before. All eight cases of huma n rabies reported to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health between 1991 an d 1999 were reviewed, as well as three other cases admitted to the American University of Beirut Medical Center. A total of 1102 cases of animal bites to humans, the majority of which were dog bites, were: reported to the Min istry of Public Health between 1991 and 1996. In this period, 2487 doses of rabies vaccine were administered to the above group, as post-exposure prop hylaxis. Veterinarians, a high risk and educated group, were interviewed, a nd only 7 out of 72 were found to have been vaccinated. Major improvements in surveillance and reporting, better control of animal rabies, more awaren ess especially among high risk groups, and regional cooperation, are all ne eded to prevent and control this deadly infection.