Travel Clinic - The Rabies Risk

Rabies still kills 55,000 people a year according to the World Health Organisation – a travel clinic can advise if you are at risk.

Rabies is a devastating disease that few survive, in fact, in America only one person, a girl from Wisconsin who went into a coma after being infected in 2004, survived. But many travellers are blasé about the risks – staff at City Docs travel clinics in London and across the country can help can advise you whether you should be worried, and what you can do to prevent the virus.

Travel Clinic: Rabies Advice

You can be vaccinated against rabies in a travel clinic, although in America, the news agency Reuters has reported that vaccines are in short supply across the States and federal health officials are advising to only use the vaccine from a travel clinic if needed. This means those who suspect they may have been exposed to rabies should attend a travel clinic for the vaccination, and not use a travel clinic ahead of possible exposures.

Rabies: A Deadly Virus

In the UK, if you are heading to a region known to harbour the rabies infection, it’s crucial you seek advice from a travel clinic. Rabies is fatal – and affects animals and people. There is no cure and is highly infectious, which makes the fear of the disease even stronger. But the ravaging affects of the disease is what really concerns people. People become infected often from animal bites through saliva and the infection can lie dormant for months. The only way to protect against rabies is with a vaccination. A travel clinic will advise you if they feel this is a necessary precaution for your travels.

Travel Clinic – Get the Vaccine

In America, wild animals such as racoons carry the virus and pet owners are encouraged to vaccinate their animals. In Europe, foxes are the biggest culprit. The strong image of mad, rabid dogs is enough to ask anyone concerned about the risks to seek advice from a travel clinic. The virus attacks the nervous system and brain, which can trigger aggressive biting – passing on the virus. There is strong reason to fear the virus as once it takes hold, it mostly ends in death. If you have been bitten, you need to find a travel clinic quickly to receive the vaccine – it can be prevented if caught before symptoms develop. The virus spreads via the nervous system to skin, saliva glands and mucous membranes, as well as the brain.

Visit your travel clinic for advice on rabies – the virus is prevalent in America, Africa, Asia, Europe and Greenland but is absent in Britain, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Choose CityDoc for all your Travel Clinic needs

At CityDoc, you can book over the phone or walk into one of our travel clinics for a same-day appointment. Don't travel abroad without ensuring that you've had the right vaccinations. CityDoc provides a complete travel clinic service, customized to your individual needs. Our pre-travel consultations are with experienced General Practitioners who will assess the impact of any pre-existing chronic medical conditions on your vaccine requirements. We have the full range of travel vaccines in stock including rarer vaccines such as Japanese Encephalitis. CityDoc is a registered yellow fever centre and is able to dispense anti-malarials directly from our in house pharmacy for your added convenience. Choose from our three London travel clinics and Birmingham travel clinics for ease of access.