Case study of dog bites from January 2017 to October 2019 in the Sanitary District of Sikasso, Mali

Abstract

Introduction: In Mali, from 2015 to 2018, there were 2611 cases of dog bites, including 6 confirmed cases of human rabies. During the same period, cases of dog bites in Sikasso amounted to 236 and is constantly increasing year after year. Methodology: We conducted a descriptive study of the records of dog bitten subjects from January 2017 to October 2019 in the Health District of Sikasso. The objectives were to describe cases of bites in person, characterize bite injuries and assess case management. Results: The majority of the 196 consultants identified were male (64 per cent) and had an average age of 14 years. Only 31/196 or 15.81% of the dogs were vaccinated. The buttocks were the preferred site of dog bites with 39.80%. The 5-dose vaccination regimen with wound cleansing accounted for 52.52%. Of the 196 consultants surveyed, 15.62% had discontinued the vaccination regimen. Dogs put under observation were 41.34% and a large number slaughtered at 38.26%. The final classification of cases showed three (3) cases of canine rabies and no cases of human rabies. Conclusion: Rabies control should focus on early post- exposure treatment, vaccination of animals and raising public awareness of the risk of rabies.