Spatial and temporal patterns of enzootic raccoon rabies adjusted for multiple covariates

doi:10.1186/1476-072X-6-14

International Journal of Health Geographics

Volume 6

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Recuenco S
Eidson M
Kulldorff M
Johnson G
Cherry B

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Eidson M
Kulldorff M
Johnson G
Cherry B
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Research

Spatial and temporal patterns of enzootic raccoon rabies adjusted for multiple covariates

Sergio Recuenco¹^,2 , Millicent Eidson¹^,2 , Martin Kulldorff³ , Glen Johnson¹ and Bryan Cherry²

¹School of Public Health, University at Albany-SUNY, One University Place, Rensselaer, New York, USA

²Zoonoses Program, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, New York State Department of Health, 621 Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York, USA

³Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention, Harvard Medical School, 133 Brookline Ave, 6^thfloor, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

author email corresponding author email

International Journal of Health Geographics 2007, 6:14doi:10.1186/1476-072X-6-14


Published:	11 April 2007

Abstract

Background

With the objective of identifying spatial and temporal patterns of enzootic raccoon variant rabies, a spatial scan statistic was utilized to search for significant terrestrial rabies clusters by year in New York State in 1997–2003. Cluster analyses were unadjusted for other factors, adjusted for covariates, and adjusted for covariates and large scale geographic variation (LSGV). Adjustments were intended to identify the unusual aggregations of cases given the expected distribution based on the observed locations.

Results

Statistically significant clusters were identified particularly in the Albany, Finger Lakes, and South Hudson areas. The clusters were generally persistent in the Albany area, but demonstrated cyclical changes in rabies activity every few years in the other areas. Cluster adjustments allowed the discussion of possible causes for the high risk raccoon rabies areas identified.

Conclusion

This study analyzed raccoon variant rabies spatial and temporal patterns in New York that have not been previously described at a focal (census tract) level. Comparisons across the type of spatial analysis performed with various degrees of adjustment allow consideration of the potential influence of geographical factors for raccoon rabies and possible reasons for the highest risk areas (statistically significant clusters).