Rabies-Related Knowledge and Practices Among Persons At Risk of Bat Exposures in Thailand

Rabies is a fatal encephalitis caused by lyssaviruses. Evidence of lyssavirus circulation has recently emerged in Southeast Asian bats. We surveyed persons regularly exposed to bats and bat habitats in Thailand to assess rabies‐related knowledge and practices. Targeted groups included guano miners, bat hunters, game wardens, and residents/personnel at Buddhist temples where mass bat roosting occurs. Of the 106 people interviewed, 11 (10%) identified bats as a source of rabies. History of a bat bite/scratch was reported by 29 (27%), and 38 (36%) expressed either that they would do nothing or that they did not know what they would do in response to a bat bite. Guano miners were less likely than other groups to indicate animal bites as a mechanism of transmission (68% vs. 90%, p=0.03) and were less likely to say they would respond appropriately to a bat bite or scratch (61% vs. 27%, p=0.003). These findings indicate a need for educational outreach in Thailand to raise awareness of bat rabies, promote exposure prevention, and ensure health‐seeking behaviors for bat‐inflicted wounds, particularly among at‐risk groups

Recruitment areas for survey participation in Thailand.

<p>Recruitment areas for survey participation in Thailand.</p

Factors independently associated with a bat bite or scratch history based on multivariable analysis.

a<p>OR (95% CI) = Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval).</p>b<p>aOR = Adjusted Odds Ratio.</p

Bat-associated exposure histories reported by participants.

<p>Bat-associated exposure histories reported by participants.</p

Percentage of participants advocating specific actions in response to bat or rabid animal exposure.

a<p>Comparing the proportion of participants who advocated a given action for a bat exposure with the proportion who advocated the same action for an exposure to a potential rabid animal.</p>b<p>Includes cleaning the wound with water, soap, and/or a common antiseptic agent (e.g. betadine).</p>c<p>Includes prayer or visiting a traditional healer.</p>d<p>Includes bleeding the wound, bandaging, or using topical home remedies (e.g. local herbs).</p

Responses (%) to rabies-related knowledge questions, by bat-associated activity.

<p>Responses (%) to rabies-related knowledge questions, by bat-associated activity.</p