News
Rabies risk worldwide: practical advice during rabies vaccine shortages
An important reminder of practical aspects of rabies prevention for health professionals and travellers
Rabies: Green Book chapter updated
Health professionals: the rabies chapter in the Green Book (Immunisation against infectious disease) has been updated
Zoonoses (diseases from animals) in travellers
A zoonotic disease is one that spreads between animals and humans and has the potential to be an increasing problem for travellers
Updated rabies post-exposure guidelines
Updated guidelines have been published
Worldwide rabies risk reminder
A reminder for travellers of the global risk of rabies
Factsheets
Rabies
Rabies occurs in warm-blooded mammals and is transmitted to humans, most often by a bite or scratch from an infected animal, usually a dog
Topics
Rabies
Rabies is transmitted to humans usually by a bite or scratch from an infected animal (usually a dog) and almost always fatal once symptoms appear
Outbreaks
Rabies in France
On 27 October 2022, a dog was confirmed to have rabies, following testing by the Institut Pasteur in France. The origin of the dog is currently suspected to be Morocco, although investigations are ongoing. The last reported rabies case in France was in an illegally imported puppy from Morocco in February 2020.
Rabies in Switzerland
On 30 June 2022, the Swiss Rabies Centre detected rabies virus in a bat. In the past 40 years, only four bat rabies cases have been confirmed in Switzerland, with the last reported in 2017 in Neuchâtel.
Eastern Cape
Rabies in South Africa
As of 20 April 2022, 349 canine cases and four related human deaths have been reported in 2022. The outbreaks of rabies in domestic dogs in the eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu Natal and Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City municipalities, Eastern Cape have been ongoing since 2021.
Illinois
Texas
Rabies in USA
Between 28 September and 3 November 2021, there were three confirmed cases of rabies (one each in Idaho, Illinois and Texas). All three cases died. All had direct contact with bats. The total number of rabies cases in 2021 was five, compared to no reported rabies cases in humans during 2020 and 2019.
Rabies in Germany ex Turkey
On 20 September 2021, a confirmed rabies case was reported in an eight week old puppy brought illegally into Germany from Turkey (via Bulgaria) on 2 September 2021. The puppy died on 9 September 2021 in a veterinary clinic. All individuals who had contact with the dog have received emergency vaccinations.
