Rabies

Understanding Rabies

For detailed information on rabies, including its cause, symptoms, transmission, incubation period, and management, please visit Centre for Health Protection's rabies webpage.

Prevention

To reduce the risk of rabies, travellers should avoid contact with stray or wild animals, such as dogs, cats, and monkeys.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of human rabies cases result from dog bites or scratches.  Once the virus infects the central nervous system and symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal.  However, immediate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) which includes thorough wound cleaning, rabies vaccination, and when necessary, rabies immunoglobulins (RIG) can prevent death. 

Vaccines are available for used both before and after potential exposure to rabies.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) involves receiving the rabies vaccination before potential exposure to the virus. PrEP is recommended for individuals at high risk of rabies exposure, including laboratory workers handling live rabies virus and related viruses, as well as professionals who may have direct contact with infected animals, such as animal disease control staff and wildlife rangers. PrEP may also be recommended prior to recreational activities or travel to certain regions and for people residing in remote, highly rabies-endemic areas where access to rabies treatments is limited.

Important notes: Pre-exposure prophylaxis does not eliminate the need for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after exposure. Anyone exposed to a suspected rabid animal (e.g., being bitten or scratched) must seek immediate medical care for PEP. PrEP simplifies PEP by eliminating the need for rabies immunoglobulins (RIG) and reducing the number of vaccine doses required after exposure.