Here in the UK, rabies is very rarely taken into account by backpackers and holidaymakers when they are making plans to jet off overseas.
However, in many parts of the world, almost any animal you encounter could potentially be ‘rabid’ – meaning that you could be at risk of rabies if you are bitten or attacked, whether this be by a stray dog in the Dominican Republic or a wild monkey in the rice fields of Vietnam.
What is rabies?
Rabies is a serious brain infection also known as ‘encephalitis’. Sadly, this infection is almost always fatal if not treated.
Once a person has been bitten by a rabid animal, the rabies virus moves in from the bite area up into the central nervous system. This process can take anywhere from a week to ten days – by which point it can cause fatal encephalitis.
What can you do to protect yourself?
A rabies vaccination is typically a course of three injections which confers life-long immunity.
If you have been vaccinated against rabies but are unfortunate enough to be bitten, you will simply require a further rabies vaccination to boost your levels of protection.
However, if you have never had a rabies vaccine, you will need intensive treatment which is likely to include provision of human immunoglobulin within 24 hours of being infected, as well as a course of further rabies injections, and a speedy return to the UK.
Unfortunately, the availability of human immunoglobulin is limited and may not be available in remote areas. This is one of many reasons why it is important to ensure you have been vaccinated here in the UK before taking a long distance trip.
The Harrow Health Care Centre was originally established as a BA Travel Clinic and has nearly 30 years’ experience as a travel medicine centre for all your foreign travel health needs.
If you are planning on travelling abroad, we can offer appropriate health advice, vaccinations and more ahead of your trip. We can also provide rabies vaccinations at a reasonable cost to help you prepare for all eventualities.
To find out more about our Travel Clinic, please click here.
