World Rabies Day

28 September 2011

Tell me about Rabies

Rabies is an infection of the Lyssavirus family and is spread through a bite, lick or scratch from an infected animal. Although most human cases of rabies result from interaction with a dog, rabies can be transmitted by any warm blooded mammal, including bats, monkeys and bears.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that over 55,000 people die each year from rabies across the world.

The Global Alliance for Rabies Control aims to eradicate rabies through raising awareness and vaccination of both animals and humans.

At InterHealth we often come across weird and wonderful cases of infections, and rabies is no different.

Here are some cases we have dealt with recently:

Infected flood rats
A missionary in her seventies who had lived in India for almost fifty years was bitten by a rat on a flooded train platform on her last day in the country. She hadn’t been vaccinated against rabies before the incident so she had to receive five doses of post-exposure vaccination and an injection of Human Rabies Immunoglobulin (HRIG). Not only was she unprotected from the infection but she also made the mistake of delaying her treatment until she returned home. She didn’t start the treatment until four days after being bitten, increasing her risk of health complications.

Stroking a pet bush-baby
An aid worker taking some rest and recuperation in Mombasa was seduced by the cuteness of a bush-baby being sold as a pet. Unfortunately, the feeling wasn't mutual and the bush-baby didn’t want to be stroked and bit her hand. Luckily, she had received three pre-exposure vaccinations so she didn't need HRIG and only had to have two post-exposure injections.

An encounter with a playful baby colobus monkey
An aid worker in rural Democratic Republic of Congo had been vaccinated against rabies. She encountered a cute baby colobus monkey half way through her project. Unfortunately, the baby monkey playfully nipped her. She wasn't close to medical facilities and required a semi-urgent medevac to complete the post-exposure treatment.

Be aware that Human Rabies Immunoglobulin (HRIG) is not always available locally and you may have to return home early for treatment if you have not received rabies vaccination before you leave.

Animals with rabies may be docile, energetic or friendly so resist the temptation to stroke, cuddle or play with animals unless you are absolutely certain they have been fully vaccinated against rabies.

The frightening symptoms of rabies

Human symptoms may develop any time from four days to two years after infection (usually 30 - 60 days). Symptoms progress rapidly from fever and headache to paralysis, bouts of terror and aggression to coma and death. There is no cure once symptoms have started.

Getting help

If you think you have been bitten, licked or scratched by an animal seek medical help as soon as possible. If you’re an InterHealth subscriber or work for an agency that is subscribed to InterHealth’s TravelWell Plan please call our support line. For further information about our TravelWell Plan please click here.

For more information read InterHealth’s factsheets on ‘Avoiding Rabies’ and ‘Rabies Vaccination’.

Copyright © InterHealth
While InterHealth endeavours to ensure that the information published in this guidance note is correct, InterHealth does not warrant the accuracy and completeness of the material in this guidance note. The information in this guidance note is for information only and should not be used for self diagnosis or self treatment. Readers are always encouragedto seek medical help from a doctor or other competent professional health adviser.