Rabies and Travel: Symptoms, Vaccination and What to Do After an Animal Bite

In short: Rabies is a viral infection of the brain spread mainly through bites, scratches or licks from infected mammals, most often dogs. Once symptoms start it is almost always fatal, but it is preventable. Before travel to countries where rabies occurs, a course of pre-exposure vaccine may be recommended, and anyone bitten or scratched abroad needs urgent wound cleaning and medical treatment, whether or not they have been vaccinated.

This guide, written by a Ready Health prescribing pharmacist and based on UKHSA, NaTHNaC (TravelHealthPro) and NHS guidance, explains where rabies is a risk, how vaccination works and exactly what to do after an animal bite.

What is rabies?

Rabies is caused by lyssaviruses, which attack the nervous system. The virus is carried in the saliva of infected animals and enters the body through a bite, scratch, or a lick on broken skin or the eyes, nose or mouth. The World Health Organization estimates that rabies causes around 59,000 human deaths a year, most of them following dog bites and many of them in children.

Where is rabies a risk?

Rabies is present in animals in more than 150 countries. Most human cases occur in Asia and Africa, with risk also in Central and South America and parts of Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Popular destinations where rabies occurs include India, Thailand, Indonesia (including Bali), Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Turkey and much of sub-Saharan Africa.

The UK is free of rabies in land animals, but some bats here can carry a related bat lyssavirus, so bats in the UK should never be handled without training and protection. In 2025, UKHSA reported the death of a UK resident who had been in contact with a puppy in Morocco, a reminder that seemingly harmless contact with animals abroad can carry risk.

What are the symptoms of rabies?

The incubation period is usually two to three months, but can range from under a week to more than a year. Early symptoms include:

• tingling, pain or itching at the site of the bite
• fever, headache and feeling generally unwell
• anxiety or agitation

The illness then progresses to one of two forms. In the more common "furious" form there is confusion, hallucinations, muscle spasms and fear of water (hydrophobia) because swallowing triggers painful spasms. In the "paralytic" form, weakness spreads gradually through the body. Both forms lead to coma and death. There is no effective treatment once symptoms appear, which is why prompt action after a possible exposure is vital.

How can I avoid rabies abroad?

• Do not touch, feed or approach dogs, cats, monkeys, bats or other mammals, including pets, puppies and animals that seem friendly.
• Keep food out of sight around monkeys at temples and tourist sites.
• Supervise children closely; they are more likely to be bitten and less likely to report it.
• Avoid caves and places where bats roost.

Who should consider the rabies vaccine before travel?

UK guidance advises considering pre-exposure vaccination for travellers to areas where rabies occurs, particularly if they:

• will be far from medical care, or where rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin may be hard to obtain quickly
• are staying for longer than a month, or travelling frequently
• plan activities such as cycling, running, trekking or caving that increase contact with animals
• will work with animals, or work in healthcare with direct patient contact
• are travelling with young children

How is the rabies vaccine given?

Routine boosters are not usually needed for travellers. Rabies vaccine supplies in the UK were limited at times in 2026, so plan at least a month ahead where possible.

What should I do if I am bitten or scratched by an animal abroad?

1. Wash the wound straight away under running water with soap for several minutes (ideally around 15).
2. Apply an antiseptic such as iodine or alcohol if available, and cover with a clean dressing.
3. If saliva gets into your eyes, nose or mouth, rinse thoroughly with clean water.
4. Seek medical help urgently the same day. Do not wait until you get home.
5. Keep a record of any vaccines or immunoglobulin you receive and tell your GP when you return.

If you have had pre-exposure vaccination, you will still need further doses after an exposure, but usually just two and no immunoglobulin. If you have not been vaccinated, you are likely to need a longer course of vaccine plus rabies immunoglobulin, which is in short supply in many countries.

Frequently asked questions

Is the rabies vaccine worth having for a two-week holiday?

It depends on your destination, activities and how far you will be from medical care. Even on short trips, vaccination simplifies treatment after a bite. A travel health consultation can help you weigh this up.

If I am vaccinated, do I still need treatment after a bite?

Yes. Pre-exposure vaccination does not remove the need for urgent care, but it means fewer injections and usually no immunoglobulin.

Can I get rabies from a lick?

A lick on broken skin or on the eyes, nose or mouth can transmit rabies, so it should be treated like a bite.

Is there rabies in the UK?

Land animals in the UK are rabies-free, but some bats carry a related virus. Anyone bitten or scratched by a bat in the UK should seek medical advice.

Key takeaways

• Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms begin, but it is preventable.
• Avoid contact with animals abroad, including friendly-looking dogs, puppies and monkeys.
• Pre-exposure vaccination is advised for many travellers to risk areas.
• After any bite, scratch or lick, wash the wound thoroughly and get medical help the same day.

Sources and further reading

• TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC): Rabies
• UKHSA Green Book, Chapter 27: Rabies
• NHS: Rabies
• WHO: Rabies fact sheet

Last reviewed: October 2026 by Shamir Patel, Independent Prescribing Pharmacist, Ready Health. This article is general information and does not replace advice from your own clinician.

Travelling to a country where rabies is present? Ready Health in Standish offers travel health consultations for people in Wigan, Chorley, Horwich and Bolton. A clinician will assess your trip and advise whether pre-exposure vaccination is appropriate for you. Book a travel health consultation or call 01257 676001.