Dryden
Brown Ltd
|
TRAVEL
HEALTH
RABIES
Rabies
is a viral infection affecting the nervous system and salivary
glands of warm-blooded animals, including humans.
Rabies is transmitted by the saliva of an infected animal
that enters the body by a bite or open wound.
The virus travels from the wound along nerve pathways to
the brain where it causes inflammation that results in the
symptoms of the disease. The average incubation period is
three to seven weeks but ranges from 10 days to seven years.
Areas affected
No reported cases have occurred in the UK since 1902 while
Australia and New Zealand have been free from rabies for
nearly as long.
Few cases have occurred in the last 10 years in northern
Europe because of extensive animal-vaccination programmes
including very successful oral vaccinations amongst wild
carriers in northern Europe. The USA has seen an increase
in cases in the last 10 years mainly in raccoons, skunks
and bats.
The highest risk is to be found on the Indian, Asian and
African continents.
Spread
Human cases usually result from a dog bite. However, rabies
has been caused by the virus being carried by foxes, skunks,
raccoons, bats and other animals.
PREVENTION
AVOID THE BRITISH HABIT OF TOUCHING OR STROKING DOGS
AND/OR WILD ANIMALS UNLESS YOU KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.
DO NOT ASSUME, ALWAYS ASK THE OWNER.
Rabies causes fear on the part of people who think they
may have been exposed, but is now almost completely
preventable and treatable.
Two types of treatment are available, they are:
Human Diploid Cell Rabies Vaccine (HDCV) which can be
used as both a prevention and a cure. In its preventative
role it acts like most other vaccinations to boost the
body's own defences.
Rabies specific Human Immunoglobulin - this is an injection
of antibodies which kills the virus. This treatment
is only used after being bitten in high risk areas of
the world.
When is the Preventative Rabies vaccine necessary?
The Preventative Rabies vaccine is only generally required
if travelling to and planning to spend more than 30
days in high risk areas. These include Thailand, Pakistan,
India, Nepal, the Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Ecuador,
Columbia, El Salvador, Peru, Guatemala, parts of Mexico
and most South American, African and Asian countries.
To order
your copy of a What should I do? booklet
use one of the following methods:
On-line
Shop
Phone: +44 (0) 23 8022
9041
Fax: +44 (0) 23
8022 7274
 
|
