Submitter and Technician Observations,and Animal Rabies Detection in Massachusetts,1992–2006

Abstract

A relationship was detected between the submitter and technician observations and animal rabies detection in Massachusetts during 1992–2006 by logistic regression and Fisher exact testing. The results suggested that aggression (OR = 3.94, p < 0.0001), disorientation (OR = 1.17, p = 0.0006), paralysis (OR = 1.22, p = 0.041), unexplained wound (OR = 1.472, p < 0.0001), and found dead (OR = 1.16, p = 0.0089) were independently associated with positive rabies testing results at α 0.05 level adjusted by categorized animal species and type of animal. Fisher exact test confirmed the relationship between embedded porcupine quills and skunk spray of rabies-tested animals with positive rabies testing results.