Originally published September 19 2005
British officials warn vacationers to take dog bites serious
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
With more than 40,000 worldwide rabies cases attributable to dog bites, even a small nip could cause serious damage if not treated properly.
Writing in the British Medical Journal, they describe how a woman from Greater Manchester died after a nip from an infected dog left only a tiny graze.
The University of Liverpool researchers advised travellers to seek urgent attention if bitten or scratched.
Travellers to these countries were also advised to avoid animals.
Rabies is an acute viral infection of the central nervous system.
The virus is usually transmitted through a dog bite, and results in at least 40,000 deaths worldwide every year.
Around 90% of deaths occur in the developing world, particularly in India, where dogs that roam freely are largely responsible.
Rabies is rare in the UK, where just 12 cases have been reported since 1977 - 11 contracted abroad and one rare case acquired from a bat in the UK.
The researchers described the case of a woman, aged 39 and from Bury, who was admitted to hospital with shooting pain in her lower back and left leg.
Writing in the BMJ, the researchers said: "This case serves as an important reminder of the risk of rabies for any traveller to a country where rabies is endemic, even tourists on a short visit to a holiday resort, and provides several useful lessons.
"Most importantly, travellers need to know whether they are visiting a country where rabies is endemic, and that any dog bite in such a country must be taken seriously by the recipient and any medical staff dealing with the patient subsequently."
"For example, hiking in a rural area of the Indian subcontinent where dogs commonly roam free carries a sufficient risk of exposure - combined with potential difficulties in obtaining early, safe and effective post-exposure prophylaxis - to warrant vaccination before travelling," he said.
Vaccination before exposure does not eliminate the need for treatment after infection, but it simplifies treatment and may provide protection after unrecognised exposure.
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