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International SOS offers advice on World Rabies Day

On World Rabies Day, International SOS offers advice to holiday-makers and business travellers on the importance of vaccination and treatment for rabies.

Rabies is almost always fatal.  It is a viral disease contracted when bitten or scratched by an infected (rabid) animal – most frequently a dog. One to three months after contracting rabies, non-specific symptoms such as fever, tingling or numbness near the bite might develop. Eventually it causes delirium, convulsions, coma and death.

Dr Jonathan O’Keeffe, Medical Director at International SOS explains: “We receive calls to our Assistance Centre related to animal bites nearly every day. 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.”

Rabies is found on all continents except Antarctica. Worldwide, most cases of human rabies occur in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and there are a number of high-risk countries including India, Brazil, China, Indonesia and Thailand**. Cats, monkeys, bats and foxes are also sources of infection. In Europe and North America, rabies is most often found in wild animals such as bats and foxes.

Travellers with extensive outdoor exposure may be at high risk even if the trip is brief. In particular, anyone who plans to go jogging or cycling should consider vaccination.

Assessment and prevention regimens are crucial for travellers and expats working abroad. Companies should consider rabies along with other public health threats in custom assessment and vaccination regimens*** to meet their Duty of Care obligations for travellers.

In many places, quality vaccination for rabies treatment is in short supply or not available at all. If treatment is not available, it may be necessary to evacuate a person so they can receive appropriate care.

Dr O’Keeffe continued: “We strongly recommend travellers and expatriates to get vaccinated before they go to countries where the disease is endemic. Longer-term visitors are at particular risk. So are children, who are more likely to pet stray animals. If a possible exposure to rabies occurs, treatment is needed promptly, the sooner the better.  Pre-exposure vaccination is essential to prevent the disease.”

What to do if exposed to rabies: 

• If bitten, scratched or licked by an animal, seek medical advice promptly.
• Immediately cleanse the wound with soap and water, and a povidone-iodine solution, if available.
• Seek medical advice from your medical assistance company or another qualified source. Notify the doctor that you may have been exposed to rabies, even if you have had pre-exposure vaccination. They can then immediately assess the need for rabies post-exposure treatment. THIS CAN BE LIFE SAVING.

*** Ends ***

Notes to Editors:
* World Health Organisation statistics
**The Health protection agency lists all the countries where there is a high risk of rabies here.

About International SOS

International SOS (http://www.internationalsos.com) is a world leading medical & security services company operating from over 700 sites in 76 countries with 10,000 employees, led by 1,100 physicians and 200 security specialists. Our global services include medical and risk planning, preventative programs, in-country expertise and emergency response for travelers, expatriates and their dependents of over 70 percent of the Fortune 500 companies.

***Health Check and Vaccination Programmes
International SOS’ Health Check and Vaccination programmes help mitigate health risks associated with business travel and long term international deployment. These services consist of pre-deployment, pre-travel and periodical medical examinations as well as inoculation programmes. Health Check and Vaccination programmes play an important role preventing sickness and injury and helping companies meet their Duty of Care obligations.