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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Irish tourists heading to Spain warned over ‘almost always fatal' virus, six signs to watch out for
IRISH tourists heading to Spain have been warned over a "almost always fatal" virus with six signs to look out for. Spanish health authorities confirmed that a person contracted the rabies virus earlier this month in the 3 Rabies was caught by a person in the Valencia region of Spain Credit: Getty Images - Getty 3 The disease is considered almost always fatal Credit: Getty The case has triggered concern among health officials, as the disease is considered one of the most lethal viral infections known to Rabies is a viral disease that primarily spreads through the saliva of infected animals. It is most commonly transmitted to humans through the bite or scratch of a rabid The virus attacks the central nervous system, causing inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. READ MORE IN TRAVEL Early symptoms resemble those of the flu with a fever, headache and discomfort but rapidly progresses to severe neurological complications, including confusion, hallucinations and paralysis. Once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is 'almost always fatal.' The Spanish Ministry of The Spanish General Directorate of Public Health said: "In early June 2025, the Valencian Health Department reported a fatal case of rabies in a patient who suffered a dog bite during a trip to Ethiopia in July 2024. Most read in The Irish Sun 'The case poses no risk to public health as it is transmitted only through bites from rabid animals, and mainland Spain and its islands have been free of rabies in terrestrial mammals since 1978.' Spain has long been considered rabies-free. 'It's very important' - Ryanair's 'baggage sizers' warning to Irish passengers ahead of busy Easter break amid €75 fine Since 1978, the country has maintained its status as free from rabies, largely due to vaccination programs and strict pet import controls. However, the government has said there is a risk of imported cases, particularly in regions that border While the country remains at alert level 0 meaning no active terrestrial rabies, certain areas like Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa, are occasionally placed at alert level 1. The Spanish government's contingency plan for rabies control states: "According to the Contingency Plan for the Control of Terrestrial Rabies in Captive and Wild Animals in Spain, 2023, Spain is at alert level 0 (no cases of terrestrial rabies). 'In the Autonomous Cities of Ceuta and Melilla, alert level 1 is occasionally activated, due to the risk that imported cases of animal rabies crossing the border from Morocco may come into contact with local populations of feral dogs, leading to local transmission." How to avoid catching the disease Holidaymakers travelling to Tourists should avoid touching or feeding stray animals, ensure that any pets travelling with them have rabies vaccinations and seek medical advice immediately if they are bitten or scratched. In cases of suspected exposure, post-exposure prophylaxis is critical. This treatment involves a series of rabies vaccines administered over a period of weeks and is nearly 100 percent effective if given after exposure but becomes ineffective once symptoms have developed. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre advises anyone who suspects they have been bitten by an animal to take "urgent action". The HSPC advises that not approach animals not attempt to pick up an unusually tame animal or one that appears to be unwell not attract stray animals by offering food or by being careless with litter be aware that certain activities may attract dogs (e.g. running, cycling) 3 Irish tourists have now been warned to exercise caution Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Daily Record
17-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
UK tourists warned as rabies case detected in Spain province
The Foreign Office website said the case of the 'almost always fatal' virus had been reported this month A case of the almost always fatal virus rabies has been detected in Valencia, prompting a warning to individuals planning to travel to Spain. The Foreign Office revealed that the case was reported earlier this month. A recent update on the Foreign Office-funded Travel Health Pro website stated: "In early June 2025, the Valencian Health Department reported a fatal case of rabies in a Spanish resident bitten by a dog during a trip to Ethiopia in July 2024." Rabies is a virus transmitted through the saliva of animals, commonly spreading to humans via bites, scratches, or licks on open wounds from infected animals, primarily dogs. According to Travel Health Pro: "It can also be a risk if an animal spits and saliva gets into the eyes, mouth or nose. The virus attacks the central nervous system, causing progressive damage to the brain and spinal cord. Once symptoms are present, rabies is almost always fatal." The Spanish General Directorate of Public Health confirmed: "In early June 2025, the Valencian Health Department reported a fatal case of rabies in a patient who suffered a dog bite during a trip to Ethiopia in July 2024. The case poses no risk to public health as it is transmitted only through bites from rabid animals, and mainland Spain and its islands have been free of rabies in terrestrial mammals since 1978. "According to the Contingency Plan for the Control of Terrestrial Rabies in Captive and Wild Animals in Spain, 2023, Spain is at alert level 0 (no cases of terrestrial rabies). In the Autonomous Cities of Ceuta and Melilla, alert level 1 is occasionally activated, due to the risk that imported cases of animal rabies crossing the border from Morocco may come into contact with local populations of feral dogs, leading to local transmission." The victim's wife, the only contact at risk, was also given the rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin. Marciano Gómez, Spain's minister of health, stressed it was an "isolated" case, adding that rabies had been eradicated in Spain. The country is one of several - including nations like the UK, Japan, New Zealand and Australia - to declare themselves rabies free. NHS rabies advice: Get medical help immediately if: you've been bitten or scratched by an animal while you're abroad an animal has licked your eyes, nose or mouth, or licked a wound you have, while you're abroad you've been bitten or scratched by a bat in the UK If you're abroad, get medical help as soon as possible. Do not wait until you get back to the UK. If you're in the UK, ask for an urgent GP appointment, call NHS 111 or get help from 111 online.
Daily Mirror
17-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Brits travelling to Spain given alert after lethal virus detected
Foreign Office travel website says new case detected this month of illness which 'causes progressive damage to the brain and spinal cord' Holidaymakers to Spain have been given an alert after a case of rabies was discovered. The Foreign Office said the case of the 'almost always fatal' virus had been detected this month in Valencia. In a new update on the Foreign Office funded Travel Health Pro site it said: 'In early June 2025, the Valencian Health Department reported a fatal case of rabies in a Spanish resident bitten by a dog during a trip to Ethiopia in July 2024.' Travel Health Pro says rabies is a virus carried in animal saliva that usually spreads to humans from a bite, scratch, lick to an open wound from an infected animal (typically a dog). It said: 'It can also be a risk if an animal spits and saliva gets into the eyes, mouth or nose. The virus attacks the central nervous system, causing progressive damage to the brain and spinal cord. Once symptoms are present, rabies is almost always fatal.' The Spanish General Directorate of Public Health said: 'In early June 2025, the Valencian Health Department reported a fatal case of rabies in a patient who suffered a dog bite during a trip to Ethiopia in July 2024. The case poses no risk to public health as it is transmitted only through bites from rabid animals, and mainland Spain and its islands have been free of rabies in terrestrial mammals since 1978. 'According to the Contingency Plan for the Control of Terrestrial Rabies in Captive and Wild Animals in Spain, 2023, Spain is at alert level 0 (no cases of terrestrial rabies). In the Autonomous Cities of Ceuta and Melilla, alert level 1 is occasionally activated, due to the risk that imported cases of animal rabies crossing the border from Morocco may come into contact with local populations of feral dogs, leading to local transmission.' NHS rabies advice: Get medical help immediately if: you've been bitten or scratched by an animal while you're abroad an animal has licked your eyes, nose or mouth, or licked a wound you have, while you're abroad you've been bitten or scratched by a bat in the UK If you're abroad, get medical help as soon as possible. Do not wait until you get back to the UK. If you're in the UK, ask for an urgent GP appointment, call NHS 111 or get help from 111 online.
