Update on Canine and Human Rabies in a Rabies Endemic Situation in the Republic of Guinea

Abstract

Each year, rabies kills nearly 60,000 people worldwide. Asia and Africa are the most affected. It is a public health problem because of the number of stray dogs in these nations. In Guinea, rabies is endemic and cases are often under-reported. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of rabies among human and animal exposures in Guinea. This was a retrospective analytical study from 2019 to 2021 conducted in the country’s human and veterinary health divisions and, primarily focused on rabies épidémiologique surveillance. The selection was based on human contact with an animal causing behavioural disorders, as well as animals put under observation following aggression on humans. The data were analysed using Epi Info version 21 software. Qualitative variables were expressed as proportions with 95% CIs, quantitative variables as mean ± standard deviation. The chi2 test and the Fischer exact test were used to compare proportions. A total of 85 veterinary facilities were visited and 100 animals registered, of which 93% were reported cases of exposure to canine rabies. One thousand five hundred and thirty-one (1531) people exposed to rabies were recorded between 2019 and 2021. During the period, the prevalence of human rabies was 0.533% [0.042 - 0.064] at 95% CI and that of canine rabies was 0.55% [0.039 - 0.061] at 95% CI. The biting animal was the dog in 97.2% of cases. Subjects over 45 years of age (57.7%) were the most affected. The prevalence of canine rabies was 0.5% compared with 0.533% for human rabies between 2019 and 2021. This low prevalence does not reflect the true extent of the phenomenon in Guinea, as few people consult health structures in the event of dog bites. Regular surveillance of the human and dog population is necessary for better rabies control in Guinea.