Epidemiology of rabies in Oman: a retrospective study (1991-2013).

Animal bites and rabies are under-reported in many developing countries and there is poor understanding of the disease burden. The aim of this study was to map the epidemiology of animal bites and rabies in Oman over the period 1991-2013. In a cross-sectional, descriptive, surveillance-based study, all data about animal bites and rabies from the national communicable disease surveillance system were analysed. A total of 22 788 cases of animal bites were reported. Most bites were to males (70%) and the 10-19 year age group (26%). Cats were the most common animal and upper extremities were the most common bite site. There were 8 rabies cases reported during the study period, mostly due to bites from wild animals, with 100% mortality. Of 758 suspected animals tested, 56.1% were positive for rabies; foxes had the highest positivity rate (70.1%). The high incidence of animal bites in Oman emphasizes the importance of a rabies prevention and control programme.

Epidemiology of rabies in Oman: a retrospective study (1991-2013).

Animal bites and rabies are under-reported in many developing countries and there is poor understanding of the disease burden. The aim of this study was to map the epidemiology of animal bites and rabies in Oman over the period 1991-2013. In a cross-sectional, descriptive, surveillance-based study, all data about animal bites and rabies from the national communicable disease surveillance system were analysed. A total of 22 788 cases of animal bites were reported. Most bites were to males (70%) and the 10-19 year age group (26%). Cats were the most common animal and upper extremities were the most common bite site. There were 8 rabies cases reported during the study period, mostly due to bites from wild animals, with 100% mortality. Of 758 suspected animals tested, 56.1% were positive for rabies; foxes had the highest positivity rate (70.1%). The high incidence of animal bites in Oman emphasizes the importance of a rabies prevention and control programme.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Pandemic Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Oman.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current study was to describe COVID-19's epidemiological characteristics in Oman during the initial stages of the outbreak and compare findings with other countries' reports. METHODS: Data were drawn from a descriptive, records-based review of reported cases of COVID-19 collected through the national COVID-19 Surveillance System from February to April 2020. RESULTS: A total of 2,443 confirmed cases were reported during the study period. The overall first-time testing rate for this period was 851.7 per 100,000, the positivity rate was 53.1 (confidence intervals [CI]: 51.0-55.2) and the death rate was 0.32 (CI: 0.20-0.54) per 100,000 population, respectively. The overall national positive ratio was 5.7% and ranged from 2.2-7.1% across various governorates. Muscat Governorate had the highest positive ratio (12.5%). People in the 51-60 year old age group (RR = 1.97), males (RR = 1.24), non-Omanis (RR = 2.33) and those living in Muscat (RR = 2.14) emerged as categories with significant demographic risk for COVID-19 cases when compared to the national average. The mean age was 35.6 ± 13.4. Asymptomatic cases accounted for nearly 16%. CONCLUSION: The overall rate of COVID-19 cases and deaths were low in Oman compared to the rest of the world during the study period.

Epidemiology of rabies in Oman:a retrospective study [1991-2013]

Animal bites and rabies are under-reported in many developing countries and there is poor understanding of the disease burden. The aim of this study was to map the epidemiology of animal bites and rabies in Oman over the period 1991-2013. In a cross-sectional,descriptive, surveillance-based study, all data about animal bites and rabies from the national communicable disease surveillance system were analysed. A total of 22 788 cases of animal bites were reported. Most bites were to males [70%] and the 10-19 year age group [26%]. Cats were the most common animal and upper extremities were the most common bite site. There were 8 rabies cases reported during the study period,mostly due to bites from wild animals, with 100% mortality. Of 758 suspected animals tested,56.1% were positive for rabies; foxes had the highest positivity rate [70.1%]. The high incidence of animal bites in Oman emphasizes the importance of a rabies prevention and control programme

Les morsures d'animaux et la rage font l'objet d'une sous-notification dans de nombreux pays en développement où la charge de la maladie reste mal comprise. L'objectif de la présente étude était de cartographier l'épidémiologie des morsures d'animaux et de la rage à Oman entre 1991 et 2013. Dans une étude transversale et descriptive reposant sur la surveillance, toutes les données sur les morsures d'animaux et la rage extraites du système national de surveillance des maladies transmissibles ont été analysées.Au total, 22 788 cas de morsures d'animaux avaient été notifiés.La plupart des victimes de morsures étaient de sexe masculin [70 %] et appartenaient à la tranche d'âge des 10-19 ans[26%]. L'animal mordeur le plus fréquent était le chat et les membres supérieurs représenteraient le site le plus souvent mordu. Pendant la période de l'étude,huit cas de rage ont été rapportés, essentiellement dus à des morsures par des animaux sauvages,avec un taux de mortalité de 100 %. Sur les 758 animaux suspects dépistés, 56,1 % étaient positifs pour la rage ; les renards avaient le pourcentage positif le plus élevé [70,1 %]. Cette forte incidence des morsures animales à Oman souligne l'importance d'un programme de prévention et de lutte concernant la rage

Surveillance of adverse events following immunization: 10 years' experience in Oman

A descriptive record-based review of adverse events following immunization [AEFI] was carried out in Oman using the national database for the period 1996-2005. A total of 790 adverse event reports were received with an annual rate during the review period of 33.7 per 100000 population or 10.8 per 100000 doses administered. There were no reported deaths. The most frequently reported AEFI were BCG adenitis [69.7 per 100000 doses] and local reactions [3.6 per 100000 doses respectively]. The statistically significant higher rates among males, in children aged > 2 years and in some sparsely populated regions of Oman need further research. AEFI rates in Oman were similar or below the international averages