Rabies vaccination

What is it?

Rabies is a serious viral infection that targets the brain and nervous system. Rabies is contracted via a bite, scratch or saliva (on open wounds) from an infected mammal. The most common animals which can pass on rabies are bats, cats, dogs and monkeys. Unless treated very early rabies is nearly always fatal.

Countries at risk…

Countries at risk Rabies occurs worldwide except for Antarctica. Low risk areas include North America, Australia, Europe and Japan with the rest of the world being medium to high risk.

Travel precautions

Our recommended vaccines for the most common travel destinations outside of Europe includes Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) vaccines. For travellers who are visiting the developing world on a regular basis or for prolonged periods of time, we would recommend considering hepatitis B vaccine. Cholera is worth considering for travellers visiting rural areas of developing countries. The vaccine against cholera (Dukoral) also reduces the risk of the most common form of traveller’s diarrhoea caused by E coli. Dukoral is an oral vaccine given in two doses one week apart.

It is important to avoid touching or petting any animals while abroad. Make sure any cuts and open wounds are bandaged up.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of rabies may take a while to develop and include tingling and itchiness at the site of infection, fever, an irrational fear of water and aggressive behaviour. Once symptoms present however the disease is nearly always fatal.

The vaccination

The rabies vaccination consists of three doses over a minimum of 21 days. Once the first vaccination is completed the second vaccination is done 7 days later and the third dose 14 days after the second dose. If you do meet an animal that has bitten or scratched you it is vital to seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you have not had any pre-exposure rabies vaccination then you must seek medical attention within 24 hours. If the three vaccinations were completed before travel then it is still vital to seek medical attention however it gives you an extra 24 hours to get to hospital and you only require two extra vaccinations compared to five vaccinations plus a blood transfusion if no vaccinations were completed beforehand.

AVAILABILITY

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