Travellers told: Get rabies shots

Get an antirabies shot before going to countries where the disease is endemic.

This was the advise of International SOS, the world’s leading medical and security services company, to travellers as part of its contribution on World Rabies Day on Friday.

“If a possible exposure to rabies occurs, treatment is needed promptly, the sooner the better. Pre-exposure vaccination is essential to prevent the disease,” International SOS medical director Dr.  Jonathan O’Keeffe said in a press statement.

“Longer-term visitors are at particular risk. So are children, who are more likely to pet stray animals,” he added.

Known as a fatal disease, rabies is a viral sickness contracted when bitten or scratched by an infected or rabid animal, most frequently a dog, O’Keeffe said. He explained that one to three months after contracting rabies, nonspecific symptoms such as fever, tingling or numbness near the bite might develop and will eventually cause delirium, convulsions, coma and death.

“In countries with endemic rabies, all animal bites and scratches and even a lick to broken skin must be taken seriously. If medical attention is not sought immediately and the patient contracts rabies; the disease is fatal. Rabies can however be prevented through appropriate vaccination,” he said.