Rabies Vaccinations

Death is the usual outcome of a rabies infection if it is not treated promptly. The rabies virus is contracted from animal bites or scratches. It causes encephalomyelitis, an inflammation of the spinal cord and brain. Dog bites are the most common infection route, but bats are considered a risk worldwide and cats and monkeys in some areas.

In rabies endemic areas, seek prompt medical advice if you are bitten by an animal.

Read more about rabies on our blog.

Symptoms of rabies

Once rabies symptoms appear, death is the normal outcome. Seek medical advice if you are bitten or scratched by an animal in any area where rabies occurs.

After an incubation period, which varies enormously, a patient with rabies experiences symptoms including fever, anxiety, headache and sometimes tingling at the wound site.

As the infection progresses, the patient’s muscles will spasm. Patients experience anxiety and hallucinations, excessive salivation as well as hydrophobia (fear of water and drinking). Death from respiratory failure is the usual outcome once neurological symptoms emerge.

Countries where rabies is a risk

There is a risk of contracting rabies throughout the world, except Antarctica. Human cases mostly occur in Africa, Asia and South America. There is a list of countries and their rabies risk on travel.gc.ca

Am I at risk of rabies?

Some travellers are at particular risk of rabies. If you are staying for more than a month in a region where rabies occurs, you should consider getting the rabies shot. Children are frequently victims of animal bites, and for this reason consider getting them vaccinated before they travel. You should also get the rabies vaccine if you think it is going to be difficult for you to access medical care. Some activities put you at increased risk from animal bites, too. These include running and cycling.

Some people travelling for work are at greater risk from rabies. These include anyone who will be handling animals, for example, researchers or zoo workers or animal rescue workers. Laboratory workers may also be exposed through samples.

Prevention of rabies

You can prevent exposure to rabies by avoiding contact with animals, particularly dogs (and other canids) and bats – including dead ones. Rabies is contracted through an animal’s saliva so even just a lick on broken skin could potentially infect you.

Warn children travelling with you of the dangers and let them know they should tell you about any animal bites, scratches or licks.

Of course, it may not be possible to avoid an animal bite, so the rabies vaccine offers another line of protection.

If you have been bitten, scratched or licked by an animal that may have rabies, you should seek medical attention even if you have had the rabies vaccine. Do not wait until you return to the UK. In the first instance, you should wash the wound site with soap and water for ten minutes and then irrigate with iodine or alcohol. A healthcare professional will then conduct a risk assessment and decide what steps to take next.