Year of Publication

2021

College

Public Health

Date Available

5-12-2021

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)

Committee Chair

Heather Bush, PhD

Committee Member

Amanda Ellis

Committee Member

Emily Slade

Abstract

The Kentucky rabies reporting system includes data from five laboratories and provides an account of suspected rabies reports since 1989. Over 35,000 suspected cases are used to estimate rabies incidence temporally and spatially. Recommendations to the current rabies reporting methodologies are presented through proposed innovations of a standard, electronic reporting form. Given the multiple sources of data, the reporting system lacks standardization and comprehensive information about suspected rabies events, resulting in limited epidemiological capabilities; and data issues that prevent its use as a surveillance system. These issues are a limiting factor in rabies elimination; but a driving factor in over-testing, overtreatment, and overspending for the state of Kentucky.

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