Rabies
- Rabies is a viral infection of the nervous system.
- Rabies is usually transmitted to people from the bite of an
infected mammal.
- Rabies can be prevented by: avoiding exposure to animals with
rabies and seeking immediate medical attention after the bite of an
infected animal.
- Rabies is preventable through a series of vaccinations after
exposure, but it is fatal once symptoms appear.
How do people get rabies?
People get rabies from infected mammals. Rabies is transmitted
most often through animal bites, although other contact with the
saliva or brain tissue of an infected animal can cause the disease.
Evidence suggests that rabies can also be spread by a seemingly
insignificant bite from a bat with rabies, even without an obvious
wound.
Note:
Rabies is uncommon in the United Kingdom due to stringent
animal movement controls at ports. However not all countries carry
out the same controls so therefore care must be taken when
visiting outside the UK.
Information
Rabies prevention and control advice is available on
the
Defra
website (the Department for Environment Food and Rural
Affairs). They also include information about EU regulations on the
movement of pets including "pet passports".
Rabies - Department of Health Information (PDF, 254 Kb)