The aim of this study was to investigate the basic guidelines of the program for the elimination of dog-transmitted human rabies (DTHR) in Maranhão. The study was a cross-sectional one and involved a normative assessment of municipalities with DTHR cases in the State of Maranhão. The primary and secondary data related to five municipalities in which cases of DTHR were reported between 2006 and 2010. Guidelines related to the following areas were investigated: (a) training of health professionals; (b) community-oriented health education; (c) post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP); and (d) mass vaccination of dogs. Many of the professionals had never had training on DTHR or had only had training many years ago. More than 70% of the people interviewed had never received any instructions about the disease, and almost 100% did not know what to do if attacked by a dog. PEP measures were found to be deficient, and irregularities were observed in cold chains. Vaccination coverage of animals was greater than 80% in all municipalities except one. Our findings show that basic guidelines for elimination of DTHR in Maranhão are not being followed and that new human cases may occur in the state as a result.
rabies; dogs; health evaluation