Rabies

Rabies is a rare, fatal infectious disease caused by a virus.

You can get rabies in many countries.

You can get rabies from the saliva of infected mammals: not only dogs, but also cats, monkeys and bats. Infection is usually through a bite, scratch or lick on an open wound. Person-to-person infection is extremely rare.

Rabies starts like flu with fever. Then come muscle cramps, seizures and paralysis, and problems swallowing and breathing. You can also develop a fear of water. Without timely action, rabies is fatal.

• Avoid contact with mammals, especially dogs, cats, monkeys and bats.
• Do not stroke or feed mammals.
• Stay at least an arm’s length away.
• Do not touch sick or dead animals.
• Avoid caves: bats are often present.

If you are bitten, scratched or licked on an open wound: wash the wound for at least 15 minutes with lukewarm water and soap, then disinfect with 70% alcohol. Contact your health or travel insurer’s emergency line immediately and see a doctor. Vaccinations and antiserum (MARIG) may be needed. Treatment must start as soon as possible. In many countries antiserum is not available; you may then need to fly back.

A rabies vaccine series is two doses that give lifelong basic protection. If you were vaccinated before travel, you usually need two extra doses after a bite or scratch. Those extra doses are available in most of the world, so you probably will not have to cut your trip short. Ask a travel clinic whether vaccination is needed for your trip.