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What is rabies?
Rabies is a rare but serious disease which is transmitted to humans usually by a bite or scratch from an infected animal. It can be fatal once symptoms appear, but being vaccinated and having treatment early can prevent it.
How do you catch rabies?
Rabies can be transmitted through bodily fluids such as saliva coming into contact with the eyes, nose, mouth or broken skin. It’s most often associated with dogs, but is also common in cats, cattle, monkeys, foxes and bats.
While it can occur on all continents (apart from Antarctica), it’s mostly found in:
• Africa
• Asia
• Central America
• South America
Signs & symptoms of rabies
Symptoms of rabies can take three to 12 weeks to show, but in some cases they can appear after a few days, months or years.
The virus attacks the nervous system, causing inflammation on the brain and spinal cord.
Symptoms can include:
• High temperature (fever)
• Headache
• Feeling anxious or unwell
• Confusion
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Hallucinations
• Muscle spasms
• Frothing at the mouth
• Feeling energetic
• Paralysis (not being able to move)
Once symptoms appear rabies is almost always fatal, but if treatment happens before any symptoms, it’s very effective.
You need to get medical help immediately if:
• You’ve been bitten or scratched by an animal while you’re travelling
• An animal has licked your nose, eyes, mouth or a wound while you’re travelling
• You’ve been bitten or scratched by a bat in the UK
If you’re travelling, get medical help as soon as possible. Don’t wait until you’re back in the UK.
Treating rabies
If you’ve been licked, scratched or bitten by an animal that might have rabies, a doctor can check if you need to be treated.
It’s important to act quickly with first aid and then seek urgent medical attention if you were bitten, scratched or licked in any area with a risk of rabies even if you’ve had a pre-travel rabies vaccination.
First aid steps include:
• Thoroughly washing off saliva with soap and water
• Washing (irrigating) the wound with iodine solution or alcohol – this is very effective at removing the virus from the bite if it’s done quickly and thoroughly
• Applying a simple dressing but avoid closing the wound
You might need further vaccinations but if you’ve had the full course of rabies vaccinations, you’ll need less. You should also consider having a tetanus vaccination.
Preventing rabies
It’s important you’re aware of the risk of rabies and consider the following tips to help prevent it:
• Don’t touch or go near wild or stray animals, even if they don’t seem unwell (animals with rabies might not show any symptoms)
• Don’t feed any animals, including any animals in animal sanctuaries or zoos
• Don’t attract stray animals with food or by throwing litter around you
• Be aware of any activities that might attract animals like dogs, for example running or cycling
• Make sure to know where you can get urgent medical help while travelling
• Washing animal bites or scratches with soap and water immediately
• If bitten, licked or scratched by an animal, get medical help straight away
Rabies vaccination
Pre-exposure rabies vaccinations are recommended for travellers to countries where there is a risk, according to UK guidance. A full course consists of three vaccinations administered into the arm on day zero, day seven and day 21-28.
If you don’t have up to 28 days, a rapid course consisting of three doses on day zero, day three and day seven is available. A fourth dose at 12 months is needed to complete the course.
The rabies vaccination is recommended if you’re travelling somewhere that rabies is more common.
How long do rabies vaccinations last?
How long the rabies vaccination lasts depends on your exposure risk. A once-only booster can be considered a year after completing the primary course.
