Risk factors for vampire bat bites in the Apurimac river valley

Abstract

Wild rabies in Peru is related in most of cases to (Desmodus rotundus) vampire bats bite. The zone of Apurimac river valley it has notified in frequent form attacks of vampires as much to the cattle as to the settlers. A matched case-control study was carried to determine the risk factors associated with the vampire bite in three communities bordering to the river. Were included 39 cases and 67 controls, 70% were women, 14% recognized the rabies as a mortal disease and 36% identified to the dog or the bat as responsible of its transmission. All the cases were bitten during the night, 70% were more of one attack in the last twelve months and all their houses presented facilities for the access of the bats. To be younger of 15 years (OR: 84,8) and not to use bednets to sleep (OR: 18,5) they were risk factors, was not show association with sex, knowledge of the disease, presence of cattle in the house nearness and bites at the cattle.