Rabies is one of the oldest and most feared diseases known to humans. Despite being preventable, it still causes thousands of deaths worldwide every year. At Sudbury Court Pharmacy and Travel Clinic, we often hear concerns from people who are travelling abroad and want to know how to protect themselves. With so much information online, it can be difficult to separate fact from myth. In this article, we will answer the most common questions about animal rabies, the risks to travellers, and how our travel clinic in Harrow can help keep you safe.
Can Humans Catch Rabies From Animals?
Yes, humans can catch rabies from animals. Rabies is a viral infection that affects the nervous system. Once symptoms appear, it is almost always fatal, which is why prevention and rapid response after exposure are so important. The virus is carried in the saliva of infected animals and can be passed to humans through bites, scratches, or even licks on broken skin.
While rabies is rare in the UK thanks to strict animal controls, it is still common in many other countries. This makes it a significant risk for travellers, especially those visiting parts of the world where the disease has not been controlled.
How Do Humans Catch Rabies From Animals?
The main way humans catch rabies is through animal bites. Dogs are the most common source of transmission worldwide, but other animals such as cats, bats, and monkeys can also spread the virus. Even a small scratch or lick from an infected animal can be enough if the virus enters the body through broken skin.
The rabies virus travels through the nervous system to the brain, where it causes inflammation. Symptoms can take weeks or even months to appear, but once they do, the disease is almost impossible to treat. This is why it is so important to seek medical attention immediately after any potential exposure.
Which Animals And Countries Pose The Highest Risk?
Rabies is found in more than 150 countries. The highest risk regions include Asia, Africa, and parts of Central and South America. In these areas, stray dogs are the main source of human rabies cases, but monkeys and bats are also common carriers.
In tourist destinations such as India, Thailand, Indonesia, and parts of Africa, travellers often come into contact with stray dogs or monkeys near temples, markets, and beaches. Even a seemingly friendly animal can pose a risk if it is carrying the virus.
Although Europe is generally considered low risk, some countries in Eastern Europe still report rabies cases. Bats are a known carrier in many regions, and they can transmit the virus with bites that are sometimes too small to notice.
Do I Need The Rabies Vaccine For My Trip?
Whether you need the rabies vaccine depends on your destination, the length of your trip, and the activities you plan to do. If you are visiting a high-risk country, particularly for long periods or in rural areas, vaccination is strongly recommended.
The vaccine is especially important if you are likely to be in close contact with animals, such as working outdoors, volunteering with wildlife, or travelling to remote places where medical care may be hard to access quickly. Children are also at higher risk because they may play with animals and not report bites or scratches.
At Sudbury Court Pharmacy, our travel clinic in Harrow provides rabies vaccinations for travellers. We assess your risk based on your travel plans and can administer the vaccine in advance so you are protected before you leave.
What Happens If I Am Bitten Abroad?
If you are bitten, scratched, or licked on broken skin by an animal abroad, you should seek medical help immediately, even if you have been vaccinated. The wound should be cleaned thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, followed by an antiseptic if available.
Post-exposure treatment depends on whether you have had the vaccine before your trip. If you are unvaccinated, you will need a series of injections and possibly rabies immunoglobulin, which may not be available in every country. If you have been vaccinated, you will still require follow-up doses, but the treatment is simpler and more reliable.
Prompt action after exposure can save your life, but prevention through vaccination and avoiding contact with animals is always the best approach.
How Can My Local Pharmacy Travel Clinic Help?
At Sudbury Court Pharmacy, we offer expert advice and vaccinations to keep you safe while travelling. Our travel clinic in Harrow provides rabies vaccines along with other recommended travel vaccinations, all delivered by qualified professionals.
We take the time to understand your travel plans, explain your risks, and recommend the right protection. By choosing a local, trusted provider, you gain peace of mind knowing that your care is safe, convenient, and tailored to your needs.
Our pharmacy also offers guidance on what to do if you are bitten abroad, giving you the knowledge and confidence to act quickly should the unexpected happen.
Ensure You are Fully Protected with Sudbury Court
Animal rabies remains a serious risk in many parts of the world. Humans can catch it through bites, scratches, or licks from infected animals, and once symptoms develop, the disease is almost always fatal. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect yourself, especially if you are travelling to high-risk countries.
At Sudbury Court Pharmacy, our travel clinic in Harrow offers rabies vaccines and personalised travel health advice to help you stay safe abroad. If you are planning a trip and want to make sure you are fully protected, contact us today or book an appointment.
This blog was written on behalf of Sudbury Court Pharmacy and Travel Clinic by Pharmacy Mentor.
