A UK national was infected with the animal-borne disease after coming into contact with a stray dog while visiting Morocco and sadly died after being diagnosed on their return
An UK national has died after becoming infected with rabies, following contact with a stray dog during a visit to Morocco.
The individual was diagnosed in Yorkshire and The Humber, with health workers and close contacts being assessed and offered vaccination as a precautionary measure. Rabies is passed on through injuries such as bites and scratches from an infected animal. It is nearly always fatal, but post exposure treatment is very effective at preventing disease if given promptly after exposure to the virus. The UK Health Security Agency has warned holidaymakers 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 the UK Health Security Agency said: “I would like to extend my condolences to this individual’s family at this time.
“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.”
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