There is a risk of contracting the fatal disease rabies from the bite of a mammal worldwide. Rabies is not common, but some groups of travelers are at greater risk than others, and everyone should take precautions to avoid infection. Rabies infection can occur even with a minor bite or scratch, or even if the animal licks an open wound.
Rabies affects the central nervous system. The symptoms of rabies appear between one and two weeks after the bite. Once this happens, the disease is fatal in the vast majority of cases.
That’s why you should take any animal bite seriously, even if you don’t feel unwell, and even if you’ve been vaccinated. Seek medical help as soon as possible. Don’t wait until you get back to the US.
Who is at greatest risk from rabies?
Rabies is well controlled in the US, but there are some countries where this is not the case.
Children are the most common victims of rabies. They are more likely to play with animals they come across, and more likely to get bitten.
People who work with animals also have an increased risk of exposure to rabies. That includes people who work with animals, particularly vets, zoologists, animal rescue workers and people who work in animal shelters.
Cavers, hunters and trappers are more likely to be exposed to rabies, too.
Travelers visiting remote areas should be aware of rabies and act to reduce their risk.
How do I recognize an animal infected with rabies?
Animals infected with rabies show a wide range of abnormal behaviors. They can appear friendly, or more docile than usual. It is sometimes not easy to identify an infected animal. So treat any animal bite or scratch with suspicion, and get medical advice.
How to avoid animal bites
The best way to avoid rabies infection is to not get bit. Don’t feed or play with animals you are unfamiliar with, especially wild animals that seem unexpectedly friendly.
Keep an eye on children around animals, and teach them not to pet an animal they don’t know well.
If you’re traveling with a pet, don’t allow it to play with local animals, whether wild or domestic.
When working with animals, wear the right gear to protect yourself from bites and scratches.
First aid for animal bites when traveling
In the first instance, wash the wound well for at least 15 minutes with clean water to flush out the virus. Then seek medical advice.
There is a vaccine available for rabies – but even if you’ve had it, you’ll need preventative treatment. So if you get bitten by an animal on vacation or while traveling, get to a medical center as soon as you can.
The Centers for Disease Control has advice on when to seek medical care for rabies.
Where can I get vaccinated against rabies?
At your travel health appointment, the advisor will assess you and your planned trip and if they deem it necessary they will recommend the rabies vaccine. If you are bitten by an infected animal, you will still need further treatment even if you’re vaccinated.
To find out whether you should get vaccinated against rabies ahead of your trip abroad, make an appointment with Global Travel Clinics. It’s quick and easy to get a travel health appointment with us, and you should arrange your travel health consultation six to eight weeks before you depart. This is because some vaccines – including rabies – need to be given in multiple spaced doses.
Simple steps to protect yourself against rabies
Get good quality travel health advice before you go; and take steps to avoid animal bites when you’re traveling. If you’re unlucky enough to get bitten, immediately seek medical advice to ensure you get the care you need.
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