Animal and human bite injuries in Victoria, 1998-2004

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of mammal (human and non-human) bite injuries in Victoria. PARTICIPANTS, DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective case series of injuries recorded in the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset (VEMD) (1998-2004) and deaths recorded in the National Coroners Information System (1 July 2000 - 1 June 2006). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency, nature and outcome of injury as a function of mammal, victim demographics and season. RESULTS: Of 12 982 bite injuries identified in the VEMD, dogs, humans, and cats were implicated in 79.6%, 8.7%, and 7.2% of cases, respectively. Dog bite injuries were commonly sustained to the hands/wrists (31.3%) and face/head (25.4%); cat bit..