Animal Health and Infectious Diseases

Animal Health and Infectious Diseases

The Impact of COVID-19 on Animal Bite Trends in Specific Age and Gender Groups: A Study of Urban and Rural Areas

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Aazam Mohajeri
Najmeh Mohajeri
MSc. in Statistics, Deputy of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
10.22034/jahid.2025.2050771.1043
Abstract
Abstract:Background and Objective:
The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant effects on public health and social behaviors. This study aims to investigate the impact of the pandemic on animal bite trends in specific age and gender groups, particularly focusing on women, the elderly, children, and the differences between urban and rural areas.
Methods:
Data on bite incidents were collected from the Canter Control Health Rabies between April 2016 and March 2023 in Razavi Khorasan province. A quantitative technique known as univariate time series analyses was used to analyze animal bite victims by their monthly occurrence, and excess cases were calculated.
Results:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, 40,324 bite cases were registered, with an estimated 32,087.83 cases (16,481.87; 47,693.78). Changes in trends for specific groups were as follows: women experienced a change of over 90%, the elderly had an estimated change of 43.38%, and in young pesons aged 11 to 20 had an estimated change of 26.80%. Notably, significant differences were observed between urban areas (91.14%) and rural areas (34.11%).
Conclusions:
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered animal bite patterns, particularly among women, the elderly, and children. These changes highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies for rabies in these vulnerable groups, especially considering the disparities between urban and rural area
Keywords
Animal Bites
COVID-19
Animal Behavior
Social Factors
Zoonotic Diseases
Subjects
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Animal Health and Infectious Diseases
Volume 2, Issue 2 - Serial Number 3
December 2025
Pages 26-32

  • Receive Date 18 January 2025
  • Revise Date 26 February 2025
  • Accept Date 07 March 2025
  • First Publish Date 09 March 2025
  • Publish Date 22 December 2025