Rabies death reported in England, linked to dog exposure in Morocco

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported the rabies death in a Yorkshire woman who had contact with a stray dog during a visit to Morocco.

This prompted UKHSA to remind travelers to be careful around animals when travelling to rabies affected countries due to the risk of catching the disease.

Dr Katherine Russell, Head of Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, at UKHSA, said:

If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a country where rabies is found then you should wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water and seek medical advice without delay in order to get post-exposure treatment to prevent rabies.

There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case. Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in the UK, and worldwide there are no documented instances of direct human-to-human transmission.

Rabies does not circulate in either wild or domestic animals in the UK, although some species of bats can carry a rabies-like virus. No human cases of rabies acquired in the UK from animals other than bats have been reported since 1902.

Photo by jovin kallis on Unsplash

Between 2000 and 2024 there were 6 cases of human rabies associated with animal exposures abroad reported in the UK.

Rabies is common in other parts of the world, especially in Asia and Africa. All travellers to rabies affected countries should avoid contact with dogs, cats and other animals wherever possible, and seek advice about the need for rabies vaccine prior to travel.

Rabies is a rare but deadly viral infection that affects the brain and nervous system. Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in the UK but the infection poses a risk to travellers visiting regions where the disease remains prevalent.

It is typically transmitted via the bite or scratch of an infected animal. Dogs are the most common carriers, but it can be found in cats, bats, monkeys and other mammals. There are no documented cases of human-to-human transmission of rabies. Once symptoms develop in an infected person after they have been exposed, it is almost always fatal.

Prevention is crucial when visiting countries where rabies is endemic, particularly in parts of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. Travellers should consider these preventive measures:

• Consult a travel health professional before your trip to determine if pre-exposure vaccination is recommended based on your destination and planned activities.

• Vaccination is particularly important if you'll be staying for over a month, engaging in outdoor activities, or travelling to areas with limited access to medical care.

• While abroad, avoid contact with animals as much as possible, including dogs, cats, and other wildlife, to reduce your risk of exposure. Remember that infected animals may not always display obvious symptoms of disease. It’s important to tell children to avoid touching animals and if they do, to let you know about any bites or scratches straight away.

Responding to potential exposure

If you are bitten, scratched, or licked on broken skin by an animal in a rabies-endemic country, take these immediate steps:

• Thoroughly wash the wound with plenty of soap and water for several minutes. This simple measure can significantly reduce the risk of infection.

• Seek local medical attention without delay - even if you've been vaccinated. Don’t wait until you return to the UK. Post-exposure treatment is highly effective when administered promptly, before symptoms develop.

• Contact your GP on return to the UK, even if you received post exposure treatment abroad or the exposure happened several weeks ago. You may need to continue a course of rabies vaccines. If you have a record of any treatment given, remember to bring this with you. Your GP will also be able to arrange for post exposure treatment if this hasn’t been started while you were abroad but is considered necessary by UKHSA.