A Retrospective, Forensic, and Epidemiological Analysis of Reported Rabies-Related Deaths in Şanlıurfa Province, 2012–2023

This study evaluates the epidemiological, clinical, and autopsy findings of 6 rabies-related deaths occurring in the Şanlıurfa province of southeast Türkiye between 2012 and 2023. The primary objective was to identify region-specific risk factors and preventable causes through a retrospective, descriptive analysis. The study group comprised 5 males and 1 female, with a mean age of 18.4 years. All cases involved animal contact, categorized as either scratches (n=3) or bites (n=3). A critical finding regarding postexposure prophylaxis was that only one case received both the vaccine and immunoglobulin, while the remaining five received the vaccine alone. Clinically, hypersalivation and aggressiveness were the most frequently observed symptoms, each occurring in 50% of the cases. The mean survival time following the onset of symptoms was 24.3 days. Among the cases undergoing autopsy and histopathologic evaluation, encephalitic changes and, in selected cases, Negri bodies were identified. Although rabies is a preventable public health threat, these findings suggest that fatalities in the region are closely associated with insufficient prophylaxis and unequal access to health care services. To mitigate future risks, it is of vital importance to strengthen preventative health care in high-risk areas, ensure the control of stray animal populations, and provide comprehensive training for health care personnel on current prophylaxis guidelines.