Excess Animal Bite Cases Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from a Time Series Analysis (2016 - 2023) In Razavi Khorasan Province

Abstract

Background: The advent of COVID-19 has profoundly impacted the welfare of both humans and animals. Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on animal bite trends in order to inform rabies prevention strategies. Methods: Data on bite incidents were collected from the Canter Control Health Rabies between April 2016 and March 2023 in Razavi Khorasan province. The data from 2016 to 2020 were regarded as the baseline for comparison to assess changes in animal bite cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. A quantitative technique known as univariate time series analysis was used to analyze animal bite victims by their monthly occurrence, and excess cases were calculated. Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, 40,324 cases were registered, and 32,087.83 cases were estimated (16,481.87 - 47,693.78). Changes in trend were -5.07% in 2020 - 2021, 30.25% in 2021 - 2022, and 54.72% in 2022 - 2023. During the third year of the Coronavirus pandemic, women experienced a change of over 90%, middle-aged adults had an estimated 70.79%, seniors had an estimated 43.38%, and children aged 11 to 20 had an estimated 26.80%. An estimated 81.09% occurred for self-employed individuals, 69.30% for students, 67.75% for homemakers, and 91.14% and 34.11% for urban and suburban areas. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of our immunological defenses against a fatal zoonosis. Shifts in animal bite patterns directly reflect population exposure risk and the healthcare system's capacity to deliver time-sensitive, life-saving immunological interventions. This underscores the urgent need for resilient strategies, guided by a One Health framework, to ensure uninterrupted access to essential vaccines and immunoglobulins during public health crises.