Rabies is a dangerous acute viral infection that infects the spinal cord and the brain. Rabies virus is
present in the saliva of infected animals. People are usually exposed to rabies through a bite or scratch from a rabies infected animal or when an infected animal licks an area of broken skin or your eyes, nose or mouth. Symptoms usually develop 3-12 weeks after exposure. There is no specific treatment for rabies once symptoms develop and the disease is usually fatal.
Rabies is found in many countries. The rabies vaccine is used to prevent an infection prior to travelling to a high risk area. You can visit the UK NHS website Fitfortravel or the National Travel Health Network and Centre to find out if immunisation against yellow fever is recommended.
