An epidemiological description of human-hazardous incidents caused by nonhematophagous bats in Brazil, 2002-2003.

The interaction of bats with humans and pets increases the risk for rabies transmission. The purpose of the present study was to describe and analyze the epidemiological picture of injuries and related incidents caused by bats, to characterize the profile of these incidents, and to define recommendations for improving the health care delivered to patients. Fifty-three records of human anti-rabies treatment of injuries or related incidents caused by bats in Campo Grande, MS, Brazil, in 2002 and 2003 were investigated. The frequency of fields with missing or incorrect information was very high in the record forms surveyed. The frequency of incidents was higher for male patients. Most patients were in the 20-29 years age range. Bites and indirect contacts accounted for 49 and 22%, respectively, of the types of exposure. The time lag between the incidents and the presentation of patients for anti-rabies assessment ranged from 0 to 3 days in most cases. As many as 49% of the patients did not complete the treatment prescribed. The results revealed the need for improving the current human rabies control program in order to reduce noncompliance rates and to decrease the occurrence of flaws in patients' records and in the provision of health care.