INTRODUCTION : Dogs have the potency to cause a multitude of health problems to humans when not maintained well. Over the years, the dog population and dog bite cases have increased. Measures to prevent rabies have increased the financial burden on the community and healthcare system.
AIM : To describe the epidemiology of dog bite cases reported in Tamil Nadu.
METHODOLOGY : This retrospective secondary data analysis was conducted among Dog bite cases reported in Tamil Nadu
from January 2022 to December 2023 through IHIP-IDSP platform. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.
RESULTS : The reported number of dog bite cases increased by 18.1% in 2023 compared to 2022 and maximum cases
were reported during May and June. Males contributed to 35% of cases more than females. Among the cases 98.1% were
provided PEP in OPD care and approximately 62% of the cases sought care at Primary healthcare institutions.
CONCLUSION : With the increasing burden of strayed dogs and dog bite cases, the requirement of post-exposure
prophylaxis(PEP) for rabies infection is increasing. Hence government needs an holistic approach to control the dog
population by Animal Birth Control measures (ABC) to prevent the financial burden on healthcare institutions and the
cases of dog bites.
KEYWORDS : Dog bites, Post exposure prophylaxis, Integrated disease surveillance programme.