Epidemiological Characteristics of Human Rabies in Chongqing, China, 2016–2024

Chen, Longyu; Yuan, Yi; Xia, Yu; Long, Jiang; Li, Zhijin; Li, Tingting; Qi, Li

doi:10.3390/tropicalmed11010030

Open AccessArticle

Epidemiological Characteristics of Human Rabies in Chongqing, China, 2016–2024

by

Longyu Chen

^1,2,†,

Yi Yuan

^1,†,

Yu Xia

¹,

Jiang Long

¹,

Zhijin Li

^1,2,

Tingting Li

¹

and

Li Qi

^1,*

¹

Chongqing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chongqing Academy of Preventive Medicine), Chongqing 400707, China

²

School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

^†

These authors contributed equally to this work.

Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2026, 11(1), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed11010030

Submission received: 5 November 2025 / Revised: 20 January 2026 / Accepted: 20 January 2026 / Published: 22 January 2026

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rabies Epidemiology, Control and Prevention Studies)

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Abstract

(1) Background: Human rabies continues to be a significant public health challenge and imposes a heavy disease burden. The epidemiological characteristics and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) of human rabies in Chongqing were analyzed to provide a scientific basis for its prevention and control in Chongqing. (2) Methods: Data and case investigation forms of the human rabies epidemic in Chongqing from 2016 to 2024 were collected and analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods. (3) Results: From 2016 to 2024, 84 human rabies cases were reported in Chongqing, with an average annual incidence rate of 0.03 per 100,000 population. Among the cases, 72.6% were aged 45 and above. Farmers constituted the primary infected group (73.8%). Analysis of exposure patterns and PEP revealed that 92.4% of cases involved dog transmission, with domestic dogs responsible for 65.2% and stray dogs for 31.8%. After exposure, 51.5% received no treatment, while only 6 individuals were vaccinated against rabies. (4) Conclusions: Although rabies incidence in Chongqing is low, dogs remain the primary source, and post-exposure vaccination is often delayed. Strengthening health education and dog immunization is crucial for supporting the global “Zero by 30” target.

Keywords: human rabies; epidemiological characteristics; post-exposure prophylaxis

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MDPI and ACS Style

Chen, L.; Yuan, Y.; Xia, Y.; Long, J.; Li, Z.; Li, T.; Qi, L. Epidemiological Characteristics of Human Rabies in Chongqing, China, 2016–2024. Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2026, 11, 30. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed11010030

AMA Style

Chen L, Yuan Y, Xia Y, Long J, Li Z, Li T, Qi L. Epidemiological Characteristics of Human Rabies in Chongqing, China, 2016–2024. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. 2026; 11(1):30. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed11010030

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chen, Longyu, Yi Yuan, Yu Xia, Jiang Long, Zhijin Li, Tingting Li, and Li Qi. 2026. "Epidemiological Characteristics of Human Rabies in Chongqing, China, 2016–2024" Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease 11, no. 1: 30. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed11010030

APA Style

Chen, L., Yuan, Y., Xia, Y., Long, J., Li, Z., Li, T., & Qi, L. (2026). Epidemiological Characteristics of Human Rabies in Chongqing, China, 2016–2024. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 11(1), 30. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed11010030

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Epidemiological Characteristics of Human Rabies in Chongqing, China, 2016–2024

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