Why Rabies Still Matters for Travellers
When most people hear the word rabies, they often think of an old-fashioned disease or a problem confined to wild animals. Yet rabies remains one of the deadliest viral infections worldwide. Unlike many other travel-related illnesses, rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. This is why prevention is absolutely critical, especially for anyone travelling to regions where rabies is still widespread.
At Hemel Hempstead Travel Clinic, we frequently advise travellers heading to high-risk areas about rabies vaccination and protective measures. Whether you are a backpacker, a volunteer, a family visiting relatives abroad, or a business traveller, rabies is not a concern to overlook. In this guide, we’ll explain what rabies is, why it’s dangerous, how it spreads, and most importantly, how you can protect yourself before you travel.
What Exactly Is Rabies?
Rabies is a viral disease caused by the rabies virus, which belongs to the Lyssavirus genus. It attacks the central nervous system, leading to progressive inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
The disease is zoonotic, meaning it spreads from animals to humans. In fact, dogs remain the most common source of human rabies worldwide, although bats, cats, and wild animals can also carry the virus.
The most alarming fact? Once rabies symptoms begin, the disease is almost universally fatal. There are only a handful of documented survivors worldwide, and even they often suffered long-term neurological complications. This makes rabies one of the few infectious diseases where prevention is the only real protection.
How Rabies Spreads
Rabies spreads through the saliva of infected animals, most commonly via:
- Bites that puncture the skin.
- Scratches that break the skin.
- Licking of open wounds or mucous membranes (such as eyes or mouth).
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be mauled by a stray dog to catch rabies. Even a small nip or a lick on broken skin is enough to transmit the virus.
Where in the World Is Rabies a Risk?
Rabies has been eliminated in the UK in domestic dogs, which is why many people underestimate its risk. But globally, the situation looks very different.
Regions with high rabies risk include:
- Asia– India, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Thailand, Vietnam.
- Africa– Particularly rural sub-Saharan regions.
- South America– Peru, Bolivia, and some parts of Brazil.
- Eastern Europe & Middle East– Still occasional outbreaks in rural areas.
The World Health Organization estimates that over 59,000 people die of rabies every year, and 95% of those deaths occur in Asia and Africa.
For UK travellers, this means even short trips to certain destinations can carry real risk. That’s why at Hemel Hempstead Travel Clinic, we strongly recommend assessing your itinerary with our specialists to determine whether rabies vaccination is needed.
Symptoms of Rabies in Humans
Rabies has a long incubation period, typically between two weeks and three months, but in some cases it can take over a year for symptoms to appear. This depends on the site of the bite (closer to the head often results in faster symptom onset) and the viral load.
The symptoms usually progress in stages:
- Early symptoms (flu-like):
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle weakness
- Tingling or pain at the bite site
- Neurological phase:
- Confusion, agitation, or hallucinations
- Difficulty swallowing (hydrophobia)
- Fear of water due to painful throat spasms
- Excessive salivation
- Paralysis
- Final stage:
Once neurological symptoms appear, rabies rapidly progresses to coma and death, usually within a matter of days.
This is why pre-exposure vaccination and immediate post-exposure treatment are so vital.
Why Rabies Is a Unique Travel Risk
Unlike many travel illnesses, rabies has no effective treatment once symptoms begin. Malaria, typhoid, and hepatitis can usually be treated if caught early, but rabies is different.
This means prevention through vaccination and careful behaviour is the only way to ensure safety. For travellers, this creates specific risks:
- Children are especially vulnerablesince they often play with animals and may not report bites.
- Remote travelcan make access to emergency post-exposure treatment difficult.
- Animal exposure risk is unpredictable– even urban areas can have stray dogs, cats, or infected bats.
At Hemel Hempstead Travel Clinic, we often stress this point: even if you’re a cautious traveller, rabies exposure can happen in a single unexpected moment.
Rabies Vaccination: Your Best Defence
The rabies vaccine is one of the most important travel vaccines for those going to high-risk destinations.
There are two main types of rabies vaccination strategies:
- Pre-exposure vaccination:
- A course of 2–3 injections before travel.
- Provides baseline immunity.
- If bitten, you’ll still need additional doses, but treatment is simpler and more effective.
- Post-exposure vaccination (after a bite):
- Immediate wound cleaning is essential.
- Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) may be required if you haven’t had pre-exposure vaccination.
A course of follow-up rabies vaccines is necessary.
Who Should Consider Rabies Vaccination?
Not all travellers need rabies vaccination, but it is strongly recommended for:
- Long-term travellers or expatriates in Asia, Africa, or South America.
- Backpackers, trekkers, or adventure travellers who may be far from medical care.
- Children travelling with families.
- Aid workers, missionaries, or volunteers in rural areas.
- Cavers, wildlife workers, or anyone likely to come into contact with bats.
At Hemel Hempstead Travel Clinic, we provide a personalised travel health consultation to help you decide whether rabies vaccination is right for you.
What To Do If You’re Bitten Abroad
Even if you’ve been vaccinated, a bite or scratch abroad is an urgent medical situation. Here’s what you should do:
- Wash the wound immediatelywith soap and running water for at least 15 minutes.
- Apply antiseptic(such as iodine or alcohol-based solution).
- Seek medical help immediately– you’ll likely need booster doses of rabies vaccine.
- Do not wait for symptoms– once rabies begins, it is too late.
Remember: rabies post-exposure treatment is a medical emergency.
The Role of Hemel Hempstead Travel Clinic
Travellers from Hertfordshire and surrounding areas can rely on Hemel Hempstead Travel Clinic for expert rabies advice and vaccination services.
We provide:
- Comprehensive rabies risk assessments based on your travel plans.
- Full pre-exposure vaccination courses.
- Guidance on what to do if bitten abroad.
- Advice on combining rabies vaccination with other essential travel vaccines such as Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever.
We understand that preparing for travel can be overwhelming, which is why we make it simple: book an appointment, get your vaccinations, and travel with peace of mind.
Final Thoughts – Don’t Underestimate Rabies
Rabies is one of the oldest known diseases, yet it remains a very real modern danger for travellers. The fact that it is almost always fatal makes it unique among travel health risks. The good news is that with the right precautions, especially vaccination at Hemel Hempstead Travel Clinic, you can protect yourself fully and enjoy your travels safely.
If you’re planning a trip to a rabies-risk country, don’t take chances. Speak to our travel health experts today and safeguard your journey before you even step on the plane.
FAQs About Rabies and Travel
No, rabies has been eliminated in domestic animals in the UK. Cases are almost always linked to bites abroad.
If you’re only staying in urban areas with little animal contact, the risk is lower. However, even short trips to rural areas or countries with high stray dog populations may justify vaccination.
You’ll need urgent treatment with rabies immunoglobulin and a full vaccine course. Access to this treatment may not always be easy abroad, which is why pre-exposure vaccination is strongly advised.
Most side effects are mild, such as soreness at the injection site or a slight fever. Serious reactions are very rare.
Yes, children can and should be vaccinated if travelling to high-risk areas. They are often more vulnerable because they may not report animal bites.
Ideally, start your rabies vaccination course at least one month before departure to complete the full schedule.