Investigation of Human Exposure and Rabies Postexposure Treatment to Gem-Faced Civets And Ferret-Badgers in Taiwan, 2014

Investigation of Human Exposure and Rabies Postexposure Treatment to Gem-Faced Civets And Ferret-Badgers in Taiwan, 2014

Gem-faced civets was first tested positive for rabies in Taiwan on December 24, 2014,while ferret-badger had been known for carrying rabies since 2012. This report compares patients’post exposure to either a rabies-carrying gem-faced civet or ferret-badger and identifies the characteristics of patients and their exposure conditions. In 2014, patients who had received >1 dose of vaccine for rabies were then followed up with a questionnaireandinterviewed by telephone. A total of 57 patients completed the interviews,of which 38 (67%) were male. The median age was 51 yearsof age (age range 17-82). Asignificantly higher of respondents were exposed to a ferret- badger (n=33, 58%)thanexposed to a gem-faced civet (n=24, 42%)and in latter case, most weremale(22 or 92%) and younger. The wounds mostly located on the upper limbs and were caused by attacks due to provocation. Respondents who had been in contact with a gem-faced civet were less likely to developrabies-likesymptomsthan injured by a ferret-badger. Prevention effort should be focused on warning people from approaching gem-faced civets and ferret-badgers. Attacks caused by provocation was the leading cause of possible exposure to rabies, however,appropriate wound management afterexposure could reduce the risk of being infected.