[Evaluation of preventive vaccination against rabies performed at the Department of Parasitic and Occupational Diseases in Białystok in 1989-1990].
Between 1989-1990, 502 individuals exposed to the animals with rabies or suspected of rabies reported to out-patient clinic of agricultural occupational diseases at the K. Dłuski Hospital and to the Department of Parasitic and Occupational Diseases in the Medical Academy in Białystok. Sixty one (12.2%) of these individuals were vaccinated. Most frequently these people were attacked by dogs (70.4%), cats (11.4%), rats (6.5%), and foxes (3.2%). Rabies was diagnosed only in 9.8% of cases (Negri bodies in the brain and positive immunofluorescence test.). A vaccine inactivated on the human diploid tissue (Institute Merieux) was applied without any postvaccination complications. Transient micro-macular rash on face and chest of 3 patients, and local inflammatory reaction in 2 patients did not disturb vaccination process. Active-passive immunization was used in case of extensive lesions.