ANÁLISIS RETROSPECTIVO DE LA SITUACIÓN EPIDEMIOLÓGICA DE LA RABIA EN LA PROVINCIA DE CÓRDOBA, ARGENTINA.

Conferencia; XXXII RITA Brasil; 2020

RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION OF RABIES IN THE PROVINCE OF CÓRDOBA, ARGENTINA.Florencia Buteler, Marisa Ghersi, José Gallegos, Florencia Scaramuzza, Patricia González, Laura López.From 2017, the Institute of Zoonosis of Córdoba (IZC), belonging to the Health Ministry of the Province, has been working to strengthen the rabies surveillance program.The retrospective analysis shows a notable increase in the admission of samples in the last two years, concerning 2017 [2017 (128), 2018 (337) and 2019 (267)], due to a greater admission of bat samples [2017 (47%), 2018 (66%), 2019 (77%)] and a reduction in the number of samples of dogs and cats [2017 (35%), 2018 (22%) and 2019 (13%)]. In the current year, the observed trend is maintained.On the other hand, a greater acceptance of the prevention indications is also observed among the total of people who consulted the IZC for potentially rabies accidents, [2017 (no records), 2018 (76%), 2019 (92%)], an increase in the observation of rabies in biting animals [2018 (50%), 2019 (56%)], and the consequent decrease in referral for post-exposure prophylaxis treatment [2018 (48%), 2019 (41%)]. In the last three years, there have been improvements in prevention actions, tending to avoid unnecessary vaccination in bitten people when there is the possibility of observing the biting animal.However, it is still necessary to continue carrying out awareness campaigns towards the population and the health team, due to the persistence of a percentage of bitten people who do not take prevention actions [2018 (24%), 2019 (8%)], a large number of stray dogs and limited surveillance in numerous towns in the interior of the province which, among other situations, still represent weaknesses in the health system to prevent and control this disease.Consequently, it is necessary to continue strengthening rabies surveillance, prevention, and control actions, to achieve the elimination of this zoonosis in the province of Córdoba.