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Section 2. Recommendations for Care of Children in Special Circumstances
BITE WOUNDS
As many as 1% of all pediatric visits to emergency departments during summer months are for treatment of human or animal bite wounds. An estimated 4.5 million dog bites, 400 000 cat bites, and 250 000 human bites occur annually in the United States. The rate of infection after cat bites can be as high as 50%, and rates of infection after dog or human bites can be 10% to 15%. The bites of humans, wild animals, or exotic pets potentially are sources of serious infection. Parents should be informed to teach children to avoid contact with wild animals and should secure garbage containers so that raccoons and other animals will not be attracted to the home and places where children may play. Ferrets and other exotic animals are not appropriate pets for children. Concern for transmission of rabies should
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