Rabies

When travelling to areas of the world where rabies is present, it is important to consider the rabies vaccine.

Rabies is a serious viral infection which is fatal once it reaches the nervous system. It attacks the central nervous system causing progressive damage to the brain and spinal cord. Once symptoms appear, the result is nearly always death. However, it is important to understand that rabies is a 100% vaccine-preventable disease. If post-exposure treatment. (PET) is given promptly, the disease is simple to prevent.

Rabies is entirely avoidable.

Rabies is spread to people by contact with saliva from an infected wild or domestic animal, usually through a bite, scratch or a lick to broken skin. Travellers who will have contact with wild and domestic animals during their travel should be cautious – animal bites and scratches are common. It is important that travellers visiting areas where rabies occurs are aware of the risk and know what to do if they are bitten or scratched. Dogs are the cause of most rabies infections in people. However, all animals can catch rabies and pass it on, including cats, monkeys and bats.

A course of pre-exposure vaccines is available and recommended for all travellers visiting or living in at-risk areas before travel. This offers a level of protection and simplifies treatment should you get exposed to the rabies virus. The vaccination can be given from birth, and both adults and children require 3 doses to complete the course.

Before travelling, you should always ensure you are aware of the rabies risk at your travel destination. Rabies is found throughout the world, particularly in Asia, Africa, and parts of Central and South America. Book a travel consultation with one of our travel nurses prior to travel to find out if you require the rabies vaccine for your upcoming travel plans.

How do we vaccinate against Rabies?

The Rabies vaccine is an injection into the upper arm.

As there is no effective cure for rabies, pre-exposure immunisations followed by post-exposure treatment (if infected) is the recommended course of action. Remember to take a written record of your rabies vaccination with you when you travel abroad.