Rabies: What are the symptoms and how to get a vaccine?

A The British grandmother of Yorkshire died After having contracted the rage of a puppy during the holidays in Morocco, marking the first death in the United Kingdom of the disease acquired abroad since 2018.

Yvonne Ford would have been “slightly striped” by the animal during his trip in February. But it was only in the past two weeks that his health has started to deteriorate.

Here, after examines what rabies, its symptoms and how to get a vaccine for the disease.

What is rage?

Rage is a deadly virus which is transmitted by injuries such as Backs and stripes of an infected animal.

In developing countries, people can often catch the virus of stray animals and dogs.

The rage is almost always fatal, but post-exhibition treatment is very effective if it is given quickly after a person was in contact with an animal.

What are the symptoms?

Once a person begins to show signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease is almost always deadly.

The first symptoms of rabies can be similar to flu, while subsequent symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, agitation, anxiety, difficulty swallowing and excessive saliva.

The spasms of the muscles used for swallowing make it difficult for the patient to drink and people can undergo hallucinations and paralysis.

The incubation period between being infected and the presentation of symptoms is generally between three and 12 weeks, but can vary from a few days to several months.

How many cases in the United Kingdom have there been?

There was no human case of rage acquired in the United Kingdom from animals other than bats reported since 1902.

A single case of rage acquired from a bat was reported in 2002 Scotland – The person had undergone several bat bites.

Between 2000 and 2024, six cases of rabies were reported in the United Kingdom linked to people exposed abroad.

In 2018, a person in the United Kingdom developed rage following a cat bite in Morocco.

What new warnings have been issued to travelers?

THE UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said rage is common in other parts of the world, especially Asia and Africa.

People Are advisable to avoid contacts with dogs, cats and other animals and to check if they may need a rabies vaccine before the trip.

Anyone who is bitten or striped by an animal, or where the animal has licked the eyes, nose or mouth, or licked an injury, should wash the site with a lot of soap and water and seek immediate medical aid.

People should do the same if they have been bitten or wiped out by a bat in the United Kingdom.

Anyone with a post-exhibition treatment must contact their doctor back in the United Kingdom to ensure that the treatment continues and is effective.

Even if people have not asked for help abroad, they should see their British doctor if they have been bitten by an animal abroad.

How to get a rabies vaccine

THE NHS Advise people should get the rabies vaccine if they go to a country where rage is common.

You can check the risk of rage in the country you visit TravelhealthPro country information pagesOr also talk to your general practitioner or local travel clinic.

You will probably have to pay the rabies vaccine to travel.

The rabies vaccine is available on:

• Private travel vaccination clinics
• Pharmacies with travel health services
• Certain general surgeries (you must always pay if the vaccine is for the trip)

How many cases are there in the world?

There are around 59,000 cases of rage worldwide each year, but there has been no case showing human transmission to humans.