General advice is to avoid contact with animals, wild or domesticated whilst on holiday or travelling, especially dogs.
Rabies is one of the most lethal infectious diseases. Once symptoms appear it is almost always fatal.
60,000 people die each year mainly in Africa and Asia due to lack of treatment availability.
Rabies is carried by many animals, but it is mainly dogs that create the risk for humans. 95% of deaths are caused by bites from rabid dogs. Rabies can incubate in a dog for 2-8 weeks before symptoms appear, such as foaming of the mouth, staggering and extreme aggression. Saliva from affected animals can cause infection 10 days before symptoms appear.
The vaccine has been available since 1885, and unlike most vaccines can be used to prevent and treat. This is because the virus can take weeks to travel up the nerves from the bite into the spinal column and brain.
Those who have the 3 dose vaccination course over 21-28 days, will need a follow up vaccination dose if bitten. If not vaccinated a course of 5 vaccinations is required over a month. Human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) is also used to boost immunity once bitten. In all cases keep records of any vaccination history or post bite treatment so that health professionals can assess the risk and need for on-going treatment.
In some foreign countries finding treatment can be an issue, which is why pre-exposure vaccination is important.
If bitten treat the wound as soon as possible after the incident. The wound should be cleaned by thorough flushing under a running tap for several minutes and washing with soap or detergent and water. A suitable disinfectant should be applied and the wound covered with a simple dressing. Suitable disinfectants include 40 to 70% alcohol, tincture or aqueous solution of povidone-iodine.
Seek treatment locally immediately.
On returning to the UK see your GP.
Human rabies is a notifiable disease, which will be managed by the GP or health professional. In the event of a case of human rabies, the Consultant in Communicable Disease Control (in England, Wales or Northern Ireland) or the Consultant in Public Health Medicine for Communicable Disease and Environmental Health (in Scotland) should be informed.